Salts of avermectins substituted in the 4″-position and having pesticidal properties

ABSTRACT

A compound of formula 
                         
wherein
     X −  is an anion;   n is 1, 2, 3 or 4;   R 1  is C 1 -C 12 alkyl, C 3 -C 8 cycloalkyl; or C 2 -C 12 alkenyl;   R 2  is hydrogen, unsubstituted or substituted C 1 -C 12 alkyl or C 2 -C 12 alkenyl;   R 3  is hydrogen, unsubstituted or substituted C 1 -C 12 alkyl, C 3 -C 12 cycloalkyl, C 2 -C 12 alkenyl;   or C 2 -C 12 alkynyl; or   R 2  and R 3  together are an alkylene or alkenylene bridge;   and, where applicable, E/Z isomers, E/Z isomeric mixtures and/or tautomers;   with the proviso that R 1  is not sec-butyl or isopropyl when R 2  is H and R 3  is methyl;   and, where applicable, their possible tautomers; a process for the preparation of those compounds and their tautomers and the use thereof; pesticidal compositions in which the active ingredient has been selected from those compounds and their tautomers; and a process for the preparation of those compositions and the use thereof; intermediates, in free form or in salt form, for the preparation of those compounds and, where applicable, their tautomers, in free form or in salt form, are described.

This application is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 10/468,549, filed onAug. 20, 2003 now abandoned, which is a National Stage filing under 35U.S.C. § 371 of International Application No. PCT/EP02/02044, filed onFeb. 26, 2002.

The invention relates to (1) a compound of formula

wherein

X⁻ is an anion;

n is 1, 2, 3 or 4;

R₁ is C₁-C₁₂alkyl, C₃-C₈cycloalkyl; or C₂-C₁₂alkenyl;

R₂ is hydrogen, unsubstituted or mono- to penta-substituted C₁-C₁₂alkyl,unsubstituted or mono- to penta-substituted C₂-C₁₂alkenyl;

R₃ is hydrogen, unsubstituted or mono- to penta-substituted C₁-C₁₂alkyl,unsubstituted or mono- to penta-substituted C₃-C₁₂cycloalkyl,unsubstituted or mono- to penta-substituted C₂-C₁₂alkenyl; unsubstitutedor mono- to penta-substituted C₂-C₁₂alkynyl; or

R₂ and R₃ together are a three- to seven-membered alkylene bridge, or afour- to seven-membered alkenylene bridge wherein a —CH₂— group may havebeen replaced by O, S or NR₄;

and wherein the substituents of the mentioned alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl,alkylene, alkenylene and cycloalkyl radicals are selected from the groupconsisting of OH, halogen, halo-C₁-C₂alkyl, CN, NO₂, C₂-C₆alkynyl,C₃-C₈cycloalkyl, norbornylenyl, C₃-C₈cycloalkenyl; C₃-C₈cycloalkenylunsubstituted or substituted by from one to three methyl groups;C₃-C₈halocycloalkyl, C₁-C₁₂alkoxy, C₁-C₆alkoxy-C₁-C₆alkyl,C₃-C₈cycloalkoxy, C₁-C₁₂haloalkoxy, C₁-C₁₂alkylthio,C₃-C₈cycloalkylthio, C₁-C₁₂haloalkylthio, C₁-C₁₂alkylsulfinyl,C₃-C₈cycloalkylsulfinyl, C₁-C₁₂haloalkylsulfinyl,C₃-C₈halocycloalkylsulfinyl, C₁-C₁₂alkylsulfonyl,C₃-C₈cycloalkylsulfonyl, C₁-C₁₂haloalkylsulfonyl,C₃-C₈halocycloalkylsulfonyl, C₂-C₈alkenyl, C₂-C₈alkynyl, NH(C₁-C₆alkyl),N(C₁-C₆alkyl)₂, —C(═O)R₅, —NHC(═O)R₆, —P(═O)(OC₁-C₆alkyl)₂;

aryl, heterocyclyl, aryloxy, heterocyclyloxy; and also aryl,heterocyclyl, aryloxy and heterocyclyloxy that, depending upon thepossibilities of substitution at the ring, are mono- topenta-substituted by substituents selected from the group consisting ofOH, halogen, CN, NO₂, C₁-C₁₂alkyl, C₃-C₈cycloalkyl, C₁-C₁₂haloalkyl,C₁-C₁₂alkoxy, C₁-C₁₂haloalkoxy, C₁-C₁₂alkylthio, C₁-C₁₂haloalkylthio,C₁-C₆alkoxy-C₁-C₆alkyl, dimethylamino-C₁-C₆alkoxy, C₂-C₈alkenyl,C₂-C₈alkynyl, phenoxy, phenyl-C₁-C₆alkyl; phenoxy unsubstituted orsubstituted by from one to three substituents selected independently ofone another from halogen, methoxy, trifluoromethyl and trifluoromethoxy;phenyl-C₁-C₆alkoxy unsubstituted or substituted in the aromatic ring byfrom one to three substituents selected independently of one anotherfrom halogen, methoxy, trifluoromethyl and trifluoromethoxy; phenyl-C₂-C₆alkenyl, phenyl-C₂-C₆alkynyl, methylenedioxy, —C(═O)R₅,—O—C(═O)R₆, —NH—C(═O)R₆, NH₂, NH(C₁-C₁₂alkyl), N(C₁-C₁₂alkyl)₂,C₁-C₆alkylsulfinyl, C₃-C₈cycloalkylsulfinyl, C₁-C₆haloalkylsulfinyl,C₃-C₈halocycloalkylsulfinyl, C₁-C₆alkylsulfonyl,C₃-C₈cycloalkylsulfonyl, C₁-C₆haloalkylsulfonyl andC₃-C₈halocycloalkylsulfonyl;

R₄ is C₁-C₈alkyl, C₃-C₈cycloalkyl, C₂-C₈alkenyl, C₂-C₈alkynyl, benzyl or—C(═O)—R₅;

R₅ is H, OH, SH, NH₂, NH(C₁-C₁₂alkyl), N(C₁-C₁₂alkyl)₂, C₁-C₁₂alkyl,C₁-C₁₂haloalkyl, C₁-C₁₂alkoxy, C₁-C₁₂haloalkoxy,C₁-C₆alkoxy-C₁-C₆alkoxy, C₁-C₁₂alkylthio, C₂-C₈alkenyloxy,C₂-C₈alkynyloxy; phenyl, phenoxy, benzyloxy, —NH-phenyl,—N(C₁-C₆alkyl)-phenyl, NH—C₁-C₆alkyl-C(═O)—R₇,—N(C₁-C₆alkyl)-C₁-C₆alkyl-C(═O)—R₇; or phenyl, phenoxy, benzyloxy,NH-phenyl or —N(C₁-C₆alkyl)-phenyl substituted in the aromatic ring byfrom one to three substituents selected independently of one anotherfrom halogen, C₁-C₆alkoxy, C₁-C₆haloalkyl and C₁-C₆haloalkoxy;

R₆ is H, C₁-C₁₂alkyl, C₁-C₁₂haloalkyl, C₂-C₈alkenyl, C₂-C₈alkynyl,phenyl, benzyl, NH₂, NH(C₁-C₁₂alkyl), N(C₁-C₁₂alkyl)₂, —NH-phenyl or—N(C₁-C₁₂alkyl)-phenyl; and

R₇ is H, OH, C₁-C₁₂alkyl, C₁-C₁₂alkoxy, C₁-C₆alkoxy-C₁-C₆alkoxy,C₂-C₈alkenyloxy, phenyl, phenoxy, benzyloxy, NH₂, NH(C₁-C₁₂alkyl),N(C₁-C₁₂alkyl)₂, —NH-phenyl or —N(C₁-C₁₂alkyl)-phenyl;

and, where applicable, to E/Z isomers, E/Z isomeric mixtures and/ortautomers;

with the proviso that R₁ is not sec-butyl or isopropyl when R₂ is H andR₃ is methyl;

to a process for the preparation of those compounds and their isomersand tautomers and to the use thereof; to pesticidal compositions inwhich the active ingredient has been selected from those compounds andtheir tautomers; and to a method of controlling pests using thosecompositions.

Certain macrolide compounds are proposed for pest control in theliterature, for example in U.S. Pat. No. 4,427,663. The biologicalproperties of those known compounds are not entirely satisfactory,however, for which reason there is a need to provide further compoundshaving pesticidal properties, especially for the control of insects andmembers of the order Acarina. That problem is solved according to theinvention by the provision of the present compounds of formula (I).

The compounds claimed according to the invention are derivatives ofavermectin. Avermectins are known to the person skilled in the art. Theyare a group of structurally closely related pestidically activecompounds which are obtained by fermentation of a strain of themicroorganism Streptomyces avermitilis. Derivatives of avermectins canbe obtained via conventional chemical syntheses.

The avermectins obtainable from Streptomyces avermitilis are designatedA1a, A1b, A2a, A2b, B1a, B1b, B2a and B2b. Compounds with thedesignation “A” have a methoxy radical in the 5-position; thosecompounds designated “B” have an OH group. The “a” series comprisescompounds wherein the substituent R₁ (in position 25) is a sec-butylradical; the “b” series have an isopropyl radical in the 25-position.The number 1 in the name of a compound indicates that atoms 22 and 23are bonded by a double bond; the number 2 indicates that they are bondedby a single bond and carbon atom 23 carries an OH group. The abovedesignations are retained in the present Application in order in thecase of the non-natural avermectin derivatives according to theinvention to indicate the specific structural type, which corresponds tonatural avermectin. There are claimed according to the invention saltsof compounds of the B1 series, more especially mixtures of salts ofavermectin derivatives B1a and B1b.

Some of the compounds of formula (I) may be in the form of tautomers.Accordingly, any reference to the compounds of formula (I) hereinaboveand hereinbelow is to be understood, where applicable, as including alsocorresponding tautomers, even if the latter are not specificallymentioned in every case.

The general terms used hereinabove and hereinbelow have the meaningsgiven below, unless defined to the contrary.

Unless defined otherwise, carbon-containing groups and compounds eachcontain from 1 up to and including 6, preferably from 1 up to andincluding 4, especially 1 or 2, carbon atoms.

Halogen—as a group per se and as a structural element of other groupsand compounds, such as haloalkyl, haloalkoxy and haloalkylthio—isfluorine, chlorine, bromine or iodine, especially fluorine, chlorine orbromine, more especially fluorine or chlorine. In the cases wherehalogen functions as a leaving group, bromine and iodine are preferred.

Alkyl—as a group per se and as a structural element of other groups andcompounds, such as haloalkyl, alkoxy and alkylthio—is, in each casegiving due consideration to the number of carbon atoms contained in thegroup or compound in question, either straight-chained, i.e. methyl,ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl, heptyl or octyl, or branched, forexample isopropyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl, isopentyl, neopentylor isohexyl.

Cycloalkyl—as a group per se and as a structural element of other groupsand compounds, such as halocycloalkyl, cycloalkoxy andcycloalkylthio—is, in each case giving due consideration to the numberof carbon atoms contained in the group or compound in question,cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cycloheptyl orcyclooctyl.

Alkenyl—as a group per se and as a structural element of other groupsand compounds—is, in each case giving due consideration to the number ofcarbon atoms and conjugated or isolated double bonds contained in thegroup in question, either straight-chained, e.g. allyl, 2-butenyl,3-pentenyl, 1-hexenyl, 1-heptenyl, 1,3-hexadienyl or 1,3-octadienyl, orbranched, e.g. isopropenyl, isobutenyl, isoprenyl, tert-pentenyl,isohexenyl, isoheptenyl or isooctenyl. Alkenyl groups having from 3 to12, especially from 3 to 6, more especially 3 or 4, carbon atoms arepreferred.

Alkynyl—as a group per se and as a structural element of other groupsand compounds—is, in each case giving due consideration to the number ofcarbon atoms and conjugated or isolated double bonds contained in thegroup or compound in question, either straight-chained, e.g. propargyl,2-butynyl, 3-pentynyl, 1-hexynyl, 1-heptynyl, 3-hexen-1-ynyl or1,5-heptadien-3-ynyl, or branched, e.g. 3-methylbut-1-ynyl,4-ethylpent-1-ynyl, 4-methyl-hex-2-ynyl or 2-methylhept-3-ynyl. Alkynylgroups having from 3 to 12, especially from 3 to 6, more especially 3 or4, carbon atoms are preferred.

Alkylene and alkenylene are straight-chained or branched bridge members,especially —CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—, —CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—, —CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—,—CH₂(CH₃)CH₂—CH₂—, —CH₂C(CH₃)₂—CH₂—, —CH₂—CH═CH—CH₂— or—CH₂—CH═CH—CH₂—CH₂—.

Halo-substituted carbon-containing groups and compounds, such ashaloalkyl, haloalkoxy and haloalkylthio, may be partially halogenated orperhalogenated, the halogen substituents in the case of polyhalogenationbeing the same or different. Examples of haloalkyl—as a group per se andas a structural element of other groups and compounds, such ashaloalkoxy and haloalkylthio—are methyl substituted from one to threetimes by fluorine, chlorine and/or bromine, such as CHF₂ or CF₃; ethylsubstituted from one to five times by fluorine, chlorine and/or bromine,such as CH₂CF₃, CF₂CF₃, CF₂CCl₃, CF₂CHCl₂, CF₂CHF₂, CF₂CFCl₂, CF₂CHBr₂,CF₂CHClF, CF₂CHBrF or CClFCHClF; propyl or isopropyl substituted fromone to seven times by fluorine, chlorine and/or bromine, such asCH₂CHBrCH₂Br, CF₂CHFCF₃, CH₂CF₂CF₃ or CH(CF₃)₂; butyl or an isomerthereof substituted from one to nine times by fluorine, chorine and/orbromine, such as CF(CF₃)CHFCF₃ or CH₂(CF₂)₂CF₃; pentyl or an isomerthereof substituted from one to eleven times by fluorine, chlorineand/or bromine, such as CF(CF₃)(CHF)₂CF₃ or CH₂(CF₂)₃CF₃; and hexyl oran isomer thereof substituted from one to thirteen times by fluorine,chlorine and/or bromine, such as (CH₂)₄CHBrCH₂Br, CF₂(CHF)₄CF₃,CH₂(CF₂)₄CF₃ or C(CF₃)₂(CHF)₂CF₃.

Aryl is especially phenyl, naphthyl, anthracenyl or perylenyl,preferably phenyl.

Heterocyclyl is especially pyridyl, pyrimidyl, s-triazinyl,1,2,4-triazinyl, thienyl, furyl, tetrahydrofuranyl, pyranyl,tetrahydropyranyl, pyrrolyl, pyrazolyl, imidazolyl, thiazolyl,triazolyl, oxazolyl, thiadiazolyl, oxadiazolyl, benzothienyl,quinolinyl, quinoxalinyl, benzofuranyl, benzimidazolyl, benzopyrrolyl,benzothiazolyl, indolyl, coumarinyl or indazolyl, which are preferablybonded via a carbon atom; preference is given to thienyl, thiazolyl,benzofuranyl, benzothiazolyl, furyl, tetrahydropyranyl and indolyl;especially pyridyl or thiazolyl.

X⁻ is the anion of an inorganic acid, especially a mineral acid, e.g.sulfuric acid, a phosphoric acid or a hydrohalic acid;

the anion of an organic carboxylic acid, such as an unsubstituted orsubstituted, e.g. halo-substituted, C₁-C₄alkanecarboxylic acid, forexample acetic acid, a saturated or unsaturated dicarboxylic acid, forexample oxalic acid, malonic acid, maleic acid, fumaric acid or phthalicacid, a hydroxycarboxylic acid, for example ascorbic acid, lactic acid,malic acid, tartaric acid or citric acid, or benzoic acid;

the anion of an organic sulfonic acid, such as an unsubstituted orsubstituted, e.g. halo-substituted, C₁-C₄alkane- or aryl-sulfonic acid,for example methane- or p-toluene-sulfonic acid;

the anion of an active-H—C compound. Active-H—C compounds includeespecially organic compounds that carry strongly electron-attractingsubstituents, such as nitriles, carbonyls or nitro groups. Specialpreference is given to anions of compounds of formula Y₁—CH₂—Y₂ whereinY₁ and Y₂ denote an electron-attracting group. Special preference isgiven to the anions of malodinitrile, cyanoacetic acid, esters ofcyanoacetic acid, amides of cyanoacetic acid, acetoacetic acid, estersof acetoacetic acid, acetylacetone, cyanacetone and barbituric acid; orthe anion of an acidic phenol, for example picric acid.

Within the scope of the present invention, special preference is givento

(2) compounds according to (1) of formula (I) wherein R₁ is isopropyl orsec-butyl, preferably wherein a mixture of the isopropyl and thesec-butyl derivative is present;

(3) compounds according to one of groups (1) and (2) of formula (I)wherein R₂ is H;

(4) compounds according to one of groups (1) and (2) of formula (I)wherein R₂ is C₁-C₈alkyl, especially methyl;

(5) compounds according to one of groups (1), (2) and (4) of formula (I)wherein R₂ is ethyl;

(6) compounds according to one of groups (1), (2) and (4) of formula (I)wherein R₂ is n-propyl;

(7) compounds according to one of groups (1) to (6) of formula (I)wherein R₃ is H or unsubstituted or substituted, especiallyunsubstituted, C₁-C₅alkyl;

(8) compounds according to one of groups (1) to (7) of formula (I)wherein R₃ is methyl;

(9) compounds according to one of groups (1) to (7) of formula (I)wherein R₃ is ethyl;

(10) compounds according to one of groups (1) to (7) of formula (I)wherein R₃ is n-propyl;

(11) compounds according to one of groups (2) to (7) of formula (I)wherein R₃ is isopropyl;

(12) compounds according to one of groups (1) to (7) of formula (I)wherein R₃ is n-butyl, sec-butyl, isobutyl or tert-butyl;

(13) compounds according to one of groups (1) to (6) of formula (I)wherein R₃ is unsubstituted or substituted, especially unsubstituted,C₆-C₁₂alkyl;

(14) compounds according to one of groups (1) and (2) of formula (I)wherein R₂ and R₃ together are —CH₂—CH₂—CH₂— or —CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—;

(15) compounds according to one of groups (1) and (2) of formula (I)wherein R₂ and R₃ together are —CH₂—CH₂—O—CH₂—CH₂— or—CH₂—CH₂—N(CH₃)—CH₂—CH₂—;

(16) compounds according to one of groups (1) to (6) of formula (I)wherein R₃ is substituted C₁-C₄alkyl and the substituents are selectedfrom the group consisting of OH, halogen, C₂-C₈alkynyl, C₃-C₈cycloalkyl;C₃-C₈cycloalkenyl unsubstituted or substituted by from one to threemethyl groups; C₁-C₁₂alkoxy, —C(═O)R₅, —NHC(═O)R₆,—P(═O)—(OC₁-C₆alkyl)₂; and phenyl, naphthyl, anthracenyl, phenanthrenyl,fluorenyl, perylenyl and heterocyclyl which are unsubstituted or,depending upon the possibilities of substitution at the ring, mono- topenta-substituted;

especially wherein the substituents of R₃ are selected from the groupconsisting of halogen, C₃-C₈cycloalkyl, C₂-C₈alkynyl, —C(═O)R₅,—NHC(═O)R₆, —P(═O)(OC₁-C₆alkyl)₂; and phenyl, naphthyl, anthracenyl,pyridyl, thiazolyl, imidazolyl, furyl, quinolinyl and pyrazolyl whichare unsubstituted or, depending upon the possibilities of substitutionat the ring, mono- to tri-substituted;

(17) compounds according to one of groups (1) to (6) of formula (I)wherein R₃ is benzyl that carries on the aromatic moiety one to threesubstituents that are selected from the group consisting of OH, halogen,CN, NO₂, C₁-C₂alkyl, dimethylamino-C₁-C₄alkoxy, C₃-C₆cycloalkyl,C₁-C₂haloalkyl, C₁-C₂alkoxy, C₁-C₂haloalkoxy, phenoxy,phenyl-C₁-C₆alkyl, phenyl-C₁-C₄alkenyl; phenoxy unsubstituted orsubstituted by chlorine or methoxy; benzyloxy unsubstituted orsubstituted by chlorine, methoxy or trifluoromethyl; methylenedioxy,—C(═O)R₅, —O—C(═O)R₆ and NHC(═O)R₆;

R₅ is H, OH, NH₂, NH(C₁-C₂alkyl), N(C₁-C₂alkyl)₂,—O—C₁-C₂alkyl-C(═O)—R₇, NHC₁-C₂alkyl-C(═O)—R₇, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₂alkoxy,C₁-C₂alkoxy-C₁-C₂alkoxy, C₂-C₄alkenyloxy, C₂-C₄alkynyloxy; phenyl,phenoxy, benzyloxy, NH-phenyl, NH—C₁-C₆alkyl-C(═O)—R₇; or phenyl,phenoxy, benzyloxy or NH-phenyl substituted by halogen, nitro, methoxy,trifluoromethyl or trifluoromethoxy;

R₆ is H, C₁-C₃alkyl, phenyl or benzyl; and

R₇ is H, OH, NH₂, NH(C₁-C₁₂alkyl), N(C₁-C₁₂alkyl)₂, C₁-C₁₂alkyl,C₁-C₁₂alkoxy, C₁-C₆alkoxy-C₁-C₆alkoxy, C₂-C₈alkenyloxy, phenyl, phenoxy,benzyloxy or NH-phenyl;

(18) compounds according to one of groups (1) to (6) of formula (I)wherein R₃ is C₁-C₄alkyl-C(═O)R₅, especially —CH₂—C(═O)R₅; and

R₅ is H, OH, NH₂, NH(C₁-C₂alkyl), N(C₁-C₂alkyl)₂, C₁-C₄alkyl,C₁-C₁₂alkoxy, C₂-C₄alkenyloxy, phenyl, phenoxy, benzyloxy, NH-phenyl,NH—C₁-C₂alkyl-C(═O)—O—C₁-C₂-alkyl-phenyl, —P(═O)(OC₁-C₆alkyl)₂; orphenyl, phenoxy, benzyloxy or NH-phenyl substituted by chlorine,fluorine, methoxy, trifluoromethyl or trifluoromethoxy;

more especially wherein R₅ is C₁-C₁₂alkoxy;

(19) compounds according to one of groups (1) to (6) of formula (I)wherein R₃ is —C₂-C₆alkyl-NHC(═O)R₆ and R₆ is H, C₁-C₄alkyl,C₂-C₄alkenyl, C₂-C₄alkynyl, phenyl or benzyl;

(20) compounds according to one of groups (1) to (6) of formula (I)wherein R₃ is —CH₂-heterocyclyl, and heterocyclyl denotes pyridyl,furyl, tetrahydrofuranyl, pyranyl, tetrahydropyranyl, pyrazolyl,imidazolyl, thiazolyl, benzothienyl, quinolinyl, quinoxalinyl,benzofuranyl, benzimidazolyl, benzopyrrolyl, benzothiazolyl, indolyl,coumarinyl or indazolyl, the mentioned radicals being unsubstituted orsubstituted by one or two substituents selected independently of oneanother from halogen, trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethoxy and nitro;especially pyridyl, furyl, pyrazolyl, imidazolyl, thiazolyl,benzimidazolyl, benzopyrrolyl, benzothiazolyl or indolyl unsubstitutedor substituted by one or two substituents selected independently of oneanother from halogen, trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethoxy and nitro; moreespecially pyridyl or thiazolyl unsubstituted or substituted by one ortwo substituents selected independently of one another from halogen,trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethoxy and nitro, especially mono-substitutedby chlorine;

(21) compounds according to one of groups (1) to (6) of formula (I)wherein R₃ is C₂-C₁₀alkenyl, especially C₂-C₄alkenyl, unsubstituted ormono- or di-substituted, especially mono-substituted, by C₂-C₄alkynyl,—C(═O)—C₁-C₄alkoxy, —C(═O)—O—C₁-C₄alkyl-benzoyl, phenyl or halogen; moreespecially wherein R₃ is —CH₂—CH═CH₂;

(22) compounds according to one of groups (1) to (6) of formula (I)wherein R₃ is branched, unsubstituted C₄-C₁₀alkyl;

(23) compounds according to one of groups (1) to (6) of formula (I)wherein R₃ is branched, substituted C₃-C₁₀alkyl;

(24) compounds according to one of groups (1) to (6) of formula (I)wherein R₃ is unsubstituted benzyl;

(25) compounds according to one of groups (1) to (24) of formula (I)wherein X^(n−) is benzoate;

(26) compounds according to one of groups (1) to (24) of formula (I)wherein

X^(n−) is a substituted benzoate, especially a mono- or di-substitutedbenzoate; especially wherein the benzoate is substituted by one or twosubstituents selected independently of one another from C₁-C₄alkyl,halo-C₁-C₄alkyl, OH, SH, halogen and phenyl; more especiallymono-substituted by methyl, tert-butyl, trifluoromethyl, OH, SH,fluorine or phenyl;

(27) compounds according to one of groups (1) to (24) of formula (I)wherein

X^(n−) is the anion of a sulfonic acid; especially a halo-substitutedC₁-C₄alkane- or aryl-sulfonic acid; more especiallytrifluoromethylsulfonic acid or benzenesulfonic acid;

(28) compounds according to one of groups (1) to (24) of formula (I)wherein

X^(n−) is the anion of a C₁-C₄alkane- or C₁-C₄alkene-monocarboxylic acidunsubstituted or substituted by OH, C₁-C₄alkoxy or phenoxy;

(29) compounds according to one of groups (1) to (24) of formula (I)wherein

X^(n−) is the anion of an unsubstituted or substituted dicarboxylicacid; especially tartaric acid, maleic acid or 2,2′-oxydiacetic acid;

(30) compounds according to one of groups (1) to (24) of formula (I)wherein

X^(n−) is the anion of an unsubstituted or substituted tricarboxylicacid, especially citric acid;

(31) compounds according to one of groups (1) to (24) of formula (I)wherein

X^(n−) is the anion of an acid of the formula Het-COOH wherein Het is aheterocyclic ring; especially wherein Het is furyl;

(32) compounds according to one of groups (1) to (24) of formula (I)wherein

X^(n−) is the anion of an inorganic acid, especially sulfate or hydrogensulfate, more especially sulfate;

(33) compounds according to one of groups (1) to (24), (29) or (30) offormula (I) wherein

n is 1 or 2, especially 1.

Special preference within the context of the invention is given to thecompounds of formula (I) listed in the Tables and, where applicable,their E/Z isomers and mixtures of E/Z isomers; more especially salts ofthe compounds

-   -   4″-deoxy-4″-epi-amino-avermectin B1;    -   4″-deoxy-4″-epi-dimethyl-amino-avermectin B1;    -   4″-deoxy-4″-epi-N-ethylamino-avermectin B1;    -   4″-deoxy-4″-epi-N-prop-1-ylamino-avermectin B1;    -   4″-deoxy-4″-epi-(N-ethyl-N-methyl-amino)-avermectin B1;    -   4″-deoxy-4″-epi-(N-methyl-N-prop-1-yl-amino)-avermectin B1;    -   4″-deoxy-4″-epi-(N-isopropyl-N-methylamino)-avermectin B1;    -   4″-deoxy-4″-epi-(N-methyl-N-1-propen-3-yl-amino)-avermectin B1;    -   4″-deoxy-4″-epi-(N-methyl-N-ethoxycarbonylmethyl-amino)-avermectin        B1;    -   4″-deoxy-4″-epi-(N-methyl-N-benzyl-amino)-avermectin B1;    -   4″-deoxy-4″-epi-(N-methyl-N-4-difluoromethoxyphenylmethyl-amino)-avermectin        B1;    -   4″-deoxy-4″-epi-(N-methyl-N-2,5-dichlorophenylmethyl-amino)-avermectin        B1;    -   4″-deoxy-4″-epi-(N-methyl-N-2,5-difluorophenylmethyl-amino)-avermectin        B1;    -   4″-deoxy-4″-epi-(N-methyl-N-2,3,4-trifluorophenylmethyl-amino)-avermectin        B1;    -   4″-deoxy-4″-epi-(pyrrolidin-1-yl)-avermectin B1; and    -   4″-deoxy-4″-epi-(azetidin-1-yl)-avermectin B1.

The invention relates also to a process for the preparation of thecompounds of formula (I) and, where applicable, their tautomers, whichprocess comprises first of all preparing a compound of formula

wherein R₁, R₂ and R₃ are as defined for formula (I) above; for exampleas follows:

(A) for the preparation of a compound of formula (Ia) wherein R₁ is asdefined above under (1) for formula (I), R₂ is hydrogen and R₃ is agroup R₃₁—CH—R₃₂, wherein R₃₁ is C₁-C₆alkyl, phenyl, heterocyclyl orunsubstituted or substituted C₁-C₆alkyl, phenyl or heterocyclyl, and R₃₂is H or unsubstituted or substituted C₁-C₅alkyl;

a compound of formula (Ia) in which R₁ is as defined above under (1) forformula (I) and R₂ and R₃ are hydrogen and which can be preparedaccording to methods known per se is reacted in the presence of areducing agent with a compound R₃₁—C(═O)—R₃₂, wherein R₃₁ and R₃₂ are asdefined above; or

(B) for the preparation of a compound of formula (Ia) wherein R₁ and R₂are as defined above under (1) for formula (I), and R₃ is as definedabove under (1) for formula (I) with the exception of hydrogen, acompound of formula (Ia) in which R₁ and R₂ are as defined above under(1) for formula (I) and R₃ is hydrogen and which can be preparedaccording to methods known per se,

is reacted with a compound of formula R₃-Hal wherein R₃ is as definedabove under (1) for formula (I) and Hal is halogen, especially bromineor iodine; or

(C) for the preparation of a compound of formula (Ia) wherein R₁ and R₂are as defined above under (1) for formula (I) and R₃ ishydroxy-substituted —CH₂—C₁-C₁₁alkyl,

a compound of formula (Ia) wherein R₁ and R₂ are as defined above under(1) for formula (I), R₃ is —C(═O)—R₅-substituted —C₁-C₁₁alkyl and R₅ isOH or alkoxy is reacted with a reducing agent; or

(D) for the preparation of a compound of formula (Ia) wherein R₁ and R₂are as defined above under (1) for formula (I) and R₃ isCOOH-substituted C₁-C₁₂alkyl,

a compound of formula (Ia) wherein R₁ and R₂ are as defined above under(1) for formula (I), R₃ is —C(═O)—R₅-substituted C₁-C₁₂alkyl and R₅ isC₁-C₆alkoxy or benzyloxy is reacted with a base or with a reducingagent; or

(E) for the preparation of a compound of formula (Ia) wherein R₁ and R₃are as defined above under (1) for formula (I) and R₂ is methyl,

a compound of formula (Ia) wherein R₁ and R₃ are as defined above under(1) for formula (I) and R₂ is hydrogen is reacted with a compound of theformula methyl-Hal, wherein Hal is a halogen; or with formaldehyde inthe presence of a reducing agent; or

(F) for the preparation of a compound of formula (Ia) wherein R₁ and R₂are as defined above under (1) for formula (I) and R₃ is—C(═O)N(R₈)₂-substituted C₁-C₁₂alkyl and wherein the two R₈ are eachindependently of the other H or unsubstituted or substitutedC₁-C₁₂alkyl,

a compound of formula (Ia) wherein R₁ and R₂ are as defined above under(1) for formula (I) and R₃ is —C(═O)R₅-substituted C₁-C₁₂alkyl and R₅ isOH is reacted with a compound of formula NH(R₈)₂ wherein R₈ is H orunsubstituted or substituted C₁-C₁₂alkyl, in the presence of awater-removing agent; or

(G) for the preparation of a compound of formula (Ia) wherein R₁ and R₂are as defined above under (1) for formula (I) and R₃ ishydroxy-substituted C₄-C₁₂alkyl,

a compound of formula (Ia) wherein R₁ and R₂ are as defined above under(1) for formula (I), R₃ is —C(═O)—R₅-substituted C₁-C₅alkyl and R₅ isC₁-C₁₂alkoxy is reacted with two moles of a C₁-C₃alkylmagnesium halideor C₁-C₃alkyllithium reagent; or

(H) for the preparation of a compound of formula (Ia) wherein R₁ is asdefined above under (1) for formula (I) and R₂ and R₃ together are athree- to seven-membered alkylene or four- to seven-membered alkenylenebridge, and wherein a CH₂ group may have been replaced by O, S or NR₄,and R₄ is as defined above under (1) for formula (I),

a compound of formula (Ia) wherein R₁ is as defined above under (1) forformula (I) and R₂ and R₃ are hydrogen is reacted with a compound offormula Hal-(C₃-C₇alkylene)-Hal or Hal-(C₄-C₇alkenylene)-Hal, whereinHal is a halogen, and wherein a CH₂ group may have been replaced by O, Sor NR₄, and R₄ is as defined above under (1) for formula (I); or

(I) for the preparation of a compound of formula (Ia) wherein R₁ is asdefined above under (1) for formula (I) and R₂ and R₃ are identical andare as defined under (1) for formula (I),

a compound of formula (Ia) wherein R₁ is as defined under (1) forformula (I) and R₂ and R₃ are hydrogen is reacted with two moles of acompound of formula R₃-Hal wherein R₃ is as defined above for formula(I) and Hal is halogen, preferably bromine or iodine; or

(J) for the preparation of a compound of formula (Ia) wherein R₂ and R₃are identical and are unsubstituted or mono- to penta-substituted—CH₂—C₁-C₁₁alkyl, unsubstituted or mono- to penta-substituted—CH₂—C₁-C₁₁alkenyl or unsubstituted or mono- to penta-substituted—CH₂—C₁-C₁₁alkynyl,

a compound of formula (Ia) wherein R₁ is as defined above under (1) forformula (I) and R₂ and R₃ are hydrogen is reacted with two moles of acompound of formula R₃₁—CHO wherein R₃₁ is unsubstituted or mono- topenta-substituted C₁-C₁₁alkyl, unsubstituted or mono- topenta-substituted C₁-C₁₁alkenyl or unsubstituted or mono- topenta-substituted C₁-C₁₁alkynyl, in the presence of a reducing agent;and then

(K) a compound of formula (Ia) prepared, for example, in accordance withany one of processes A) to J) mentioned above is reacted with an acidXH_(n) wherein X and n are as defined above under formula (I).

The comments made above in connection with tautomers of compounds offormula (I) apply analogously to the starting materials mentionedhereinabove and hereinbelow in respect of their tautomers.

The reactions described hereinabove and hereinbelow are carried out in amanner known per se, for example in the absence or, customarily, in thepresence of a suitable solvent or diluent or of a mixture thereof, thereactions being carried out, as required, with cooling, at roomtemperature or with heating, for example in a temperature range ofapproximately from −80° C. to the boiling temperature of the reactionmedium, preferably from approximately 0° C. to approximately +150° C.,and, if necessary, in a closed vessel, under pressure, under an inertgas atmosphere and/or under anhydrous conditions. Especiallyadvantageous reaction conditions can be found in the Examples.

The reaction time is not critical; a reaction time of from about 0.1 toabout 24 hours, especially from about 0.5 to about 10 hours, ispreferred.

The product is isolated by customary methods, for example by means offiltration, crystallisation, distillation or chromatography, or anysuitable combination of such methods.

The starting materials mentioned hereinabove and hereinbelow that areused for the preparation of the compounds of formula (I) and, whereapplicable, their tautomers are known or can be prepared by methodsknown per se, e.g. as indicated below.

Process Variant (A):

Examples of solvents and diluents include: aromatic, aliphatic andalicyclic hydrocarbons and halogenated hydrocarbons, such as benzene,toluene, xylene, mesitylene, Tetralin, chlorobenzene, dichlorobenzene,bromobenzene, petroleum ether, hexane, cyclohexane, dichloromethane,trichloromethane, tetrachloromethane, dichloroethane, trichloroethene ortetrachloroethene; ethers, such as diethyl ether, dipropyl ether,diisopropyl ether, dibutyl ether, tert-butyl methyl ether, ethyleneglycol monomethyl ether, ethylene glycol monoethyl ether, ethyleneglycol dimethyl ether, dimethoxydiethyl ether, tetrahydrofuran ordioxane; alcohols, such as methanol, ethanol, propanol, isopropanol,butanol, ethylene glycol or glycerol; carboxylic acid, such as aceticacid or formic acid; amides, such as N,N-dimethylformamide,N,N-diethylformamide, N,N-dimethylacetamide, N-methylpyrrolidone orhexamethylphosphoric acid triamide; nitriles, such as acetonitrile orpropionitrile; and sulfoxides, such as dimethyl sulfoxide; and alsowater; or mixtures of the mentioned solvents;

especially suitable are ethers, alcohols, water and carboxylic acids,more especially tetrahydrofuran, acetic acid or water.

The reactions are advantageously carried out in a temperature range offrom about room temperature to the boiling point of the solvent used;preference being given to reaction at 10 to 30° C.

In a preferred embodiment of Variant (A) the reaction is carried out atroom temperature, in tetrahydrofuran in the presence of acetic acid.Especially preferred conditions for the reaction are described inExample P1.1.

Process Variant (B):

Examples of solvents and diluents include: aromatic, aliphatic andalicyclic hydrocarbons and halogenated hydrocarbons and ethers as listedabove under Process variant (A); ketones, such as acetone, methyl ethylketone or methyl isobutyl ketone; alcohols, such as methanol, ethanol,propanol, isopropanol, butanol, ethylene glycol or glycerol; carboxylicacid esters, such as methyl acetate, ethyl acetate, or esters of benzoicacid; amides as listed above under Process variant (A); nitrites, suchas acetonitrile or propionitrile; and sulfoxides, such as dimethylsulfoxide; and also water; or mixtures of the mentioned solvents;

especially suitable are water, esters of organic acids, halogenatedhydrocarbons and aromatic hydrocarbons; more especially two-phasemixtures of such an organic solvent with water.

The reactions are advantageously carried out in a temperature range ofapproximately from room temperature to the boiling point of the solventused, preferably from room temperature up to 90° C., especially up to60° C., and in the presence of a base, preferably an inorganic base, forexample sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, sodium carbonate orsodium hydrogen carbonate.

Especially preferred conditions for the reaction are described, forexample, in Examples P1.2, P1.3, P2.1 and P2.7.

Process Variant (C):

Examples of solvents and diluents include: aromatic, aliphatic andalicyclic hydrocarbons and halogenated hydrocarbons and ethers, amidesand nitrites as listed above under Process variant (A); and sulfoxides,such as dimethyl sulfoxide; or mixtures of the mentioned solvents;ethers and hydrocarbons being especially suitable.

The reactions are advantageously carried out in a temperature range offrom 0° C. to the boiling point of the solvent used, preferably from 0°C. to room temperature. Especially preferred conditions for the reactionare described, for example, in Example P2.2.

Process Variant (D):

Suitable solvents include those mentioned under Variant (A);additionally also ketones, such as acetone, methyl ethyl ketone andmethyl isobutyl ketone; and carboxylic acids, such as acetic acid orformic acid; carboxylic acid esters, such as methyl acetate, ethylacetate, or esters of benzoic acid.

The reactions are advantageously carried out in a temperature range ofapproximately from room temperature to the boiling point of the solventused, preferably in the presence of an inorganic base, for examplelithium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, sodiumcarbonate or sodium hydrogen carbonate.

Especially preferred conditions for this Process variant are described,for example, in Example P2.6.

As an alternative it is possible to choose a reaction variant wherein areducing agent, especially molecular hydrogen, is used, more especiallyin a mixture of tetrahydrofuran and water as solvent and in the presenceof a heavy metal catalyst, especially a Pd catalyst.

Especially preferred conditions for this Process variant are described,for example, in Example P2.5.

Process Variant (E):

Suitable solvents include those mentioned under Variant (B), especiallysuitable solvents being esters of organic acids, halogenatedhydrocarbons and aromatic hydrocarbons; especially two-phase mixtures ofan ester with water.

The reactions are advantageously carried out in a temperature range offrom 0° C. to the boiling point of the solvent used, preferably fromroom temperature to 60° C., and in the presence of a base, preferably aninorganic base, for example sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide,sodium carbonate or sodium hydrogen carbonate.

Especially preferred conditions for this Process variant are described,for example, in Example P2.3.

In an alternative embodiment, suitable solvents include those mentionedabove, preferably ethers, alcohols, water and carboxylic acids, incombination with a hydride, such as a borohydride, especially NaCNBH₃.

Especially preferred conditions for this Process variant are described,for example, in Example P2.4.

Process Variant (F):

Examples of solvents and diluents include: aromatic, aliphatic andalicyclic hydrocarbons and halogenated hydrocarbons; ethers, amides andnitrites as listed above under Process variant (A); ketones, such asacetone, methyl ethyl ketone or methyl isobutyl ketone; carboxylic acidesters, such as methyl acetate, ethyl acetate, or esters of benzoicacid; and sulfoxides, such as dimethyl sulfoxide; or mixtures of thementioned solvents;

especially suitable are esters of organic acids, such as ethyl acetate.

As water-removing agent there are used the customary peptide couplingreagents, especially carbodiimides and hydroxybenzotriazoles.

The reactions are advantageously carried out in a temperature range offrom 0° C. to the boiling point of the solvent used, preferably at roomtemperature.

Especially preferred conditions for the reaction are described, forexample, in Example P2.8.

Process Variant (G):

Examples of solvents and diluents include: aromatic, aliphatic andalicyclic hydrocarbons and ethers as listed above under Process variant(A); and sulfoxides, such as dimethyl sulfoxide; or mixtures of thementioned solvents; ethers, more especially tetrahydrofuran, beingespecially suitable.

The reactions are advantageously carried out in a temperature range offrom 0° C. to the boiling point of the solvent used, preferably from 0°C. to room temperature.

Especially preferred conditions for the reaction are described, forexample, in Example P2.10.

Process Variant (H):

Suitable solvents include those mentioned under Variant (B), especiallysuitable solvents being water, esters of organic acids, halogenatedhydrocarbons and aromatic hydrocarbons; especially two-phase mixtures ofsuch an organic solvent with water.

The reactions are advantageously carried out in a temperature range offrom 0° C. to the boiling point of the solvent used, preferably from 90°C. to the boiling point of the solvent, and in the presence of a base,preferably an inorganic base, for example sodium hydroxide, potassiumhydroxide, sodium carbonate or sodium hydrogen carbonate.

Especially preferred conditions for the reaction are described, forexample, in Example P3.2.

Process Variant (I):

Suitable solvents include those mentioned under Variant (B), especiallysuitable solvents being water, esters of organic acids, halogenatedhydrocarbons and aromatic hydrocarbons; especially two-phase mixtures ofsuch an organic solvent with water.

The reactions are advantageously carried out in a temperature range offrom 0° C. to the boiling point of the solvent used, preferably from 90°C. to the boiling point, and in the presence of a base, preferably aninorganic base, for example sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide,sodium carbonate or sodium hydrogen carbonate.

Especially preferred conditions for the reaction are described, forexample, in Example P3.1.

Process Variant (J):

Suitable solvents include those mentioned under Variant (B), especiallysuitable solvents being water, ethers of organic acids, alcohols andwater; especially two-phase mixtures of an ether with water.

The reactions are advantageously carried out in a temperature range offrom 0° C. to the boiling point of the solvent used, preferably at roomtemperature.

Especially preferred conditions for the reaction are described, forexample, in Example P3.3.

Process Variant (K):

Especially suitable solvents are listed under Process variant (B);dichloromethane, acetonitrile, ethyl acetate, toluene and dioxane beingespecially suitable.

The operation is preferably carried out in a temperature range of from0° C. to the boiling point of the solvent, preferably at from 0° C. toroom temperature.

Especially preferred conditions for the reaction are described inExamples P4.1 to P5.5.

The compounds of formula (I) may be in the form of one of the possibleisomers or in the form of a mixture thereof, in the form of pure isomersor in the form of an isomeric mixture, i.e. in the form of a racemicmixture; the invention relates both to the pure isomers and to theracemic mixtures and is to be interpreted accordingly hereinabove andhereinbelow, even if stereochemical details are not mentionedspecifically in every case.

The racemates can be resolved into the optical antipodes by knownmethods, for example by recrystallisation from an optically activesolvent, by chromatography on chiral adsorbents, for example highpressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) on acetylcellulose, with the aidof suitable microorganisms, by cleavage with specific, immobilisedenzymes, or via the formation of inclusion compounds, for example usingchiral crown ethers, only one isomer being complexed.

Apart from by separation of corresponding mixtures of isomers, pureoptical isomers can be obtained according to the invention also bygenerally known methods of enantio-selective synthesis, for example bycarrying out the process according to the invention using startingmaterials having correspondingly suitable stereochemistry.

In each case it is advantageous to isolate or synthesise thebiologically more active isomer, where the individual components havedifferent biological activity.

The compounds of formula (I) may also be obtained in the form of theirhydrates and/or may include other solvents, for example solvents whichmay have been used for the crystallisation of compounds in solid form.

The invention relates to all those embodiments of the process accordingto which a compound obtainable as starting material or intermediate atany stage of the process is used as starting material and some or all ofthe remaining steps are carried out or a starting material is used inthe form of a derivative or salt and/or its racemates or antipodes or,especially, is formed under the reaction conditions.

In the processes of the present invention it is preferable to use thosestarting materials and intermediates which result in the compounds offormula (I) that are especially preferred.

The invention relates especially to the preparation processes describedin Examples P1.1 to P5.5.

In the area of pest control, the compounds of formula (I) according tothe invention are active ingredients exhibiting valuable preventiveand/or curative activity with a very advantageous biocidal spectrum anda very broad spectrum, even at low rates of concentration, while beingwell tolerated by warm-blooded animals, fish and plants. They are,surprisingly, equally suitable for controlling both plant pests andecto- and endo-parasites in humans and more especially in productivelivestock, domestic animals and pets. They are effective against all orindividual development stages of normally sensitive animal pests, butalso of resistant animal pests, such as insects and representatives ofthe order Acarina, nematodes, cestodes and trematodes, while at the sametime protecting useful organisms. The insecticidal or acaricidalactivity of the active ingredients according to the invention maymanifest itself directly, i.e. in the mortality of the pests, whichoccurs immediately or only after some time, for example during moulting,or indirectly, for example in reduced ovi-position and/or hatching rate,good activity corresponding to a mortality of at least 50 to 60%.

The action of the compounds according to the invention and thecompositions comprising them against animal pests can be significantlybroadened and adapted to the given circumstances by the addition ofother insecticides, acaricides or nematicides. Suitable additivesinclude, for example, representatives of the following classes of activeingredient: organophosphorus compounds, nitrophenols and derivatives,formamidines, ureas, carbamates, pyrethroids, chlorinated hydrocarbonsand Bacillus thuringiensis preparations.

Examples of especially suitable mixing partners include: azamethiphos;chlorfenvinphos; bupirimate; cypermethrin, cypermethrin high-cis;cyromazine; diafenthiuron; diazinon; dichlorvos; dicrotophos;dicyclanil; fenoxycarb; fluazuron; furathiocarb; isazofos; iodfenphos;kinoprene; lufenuron; methacriphos; methidathion; monocrotophos;phosphamidon; profenofos; diofenolan; a substance obtainable from theBacillus thuringiensis strain GC91 or from NCTC11821; pymetrozine;bromopropylate; methoprene; disulfoton; quinalphos; taufluvalinate;thiocyclam; thiometon; aldicarb; azinphos-methyl; benfuracarb;bifenthrin; buprofezin; carbofuran; dibutylaminothio; cartap;chlorfluazuron; chlorpyrifos; cyfluthrin; alpha-cypermethrin;zeta-cypermethrin; deltamethrin; diflubenzuron; endosulfan;ethiofencarb; fenitrothion; fenazaquin; fenobucarb; fenvalerate;formothion; methiocarb; heptenophos; imidacloprid; isoprocarb;methamidophos; methomyl; mevinphos; parathion; parathion-methyl;phosalone; pirimicarb; propoxur; teflubenzuron; terbufos; triazamate;abamectin; fenobucarb; tebufenozide; fipronil; beta-cyfluthrin;silafluofen; fenpyroximate; pyridaben; primicarb; pyriproxyfen;pyrimidifen; nematorin; nitenpyram; NI-25, acetamiprid; avermectin B₁(abamectin); an insect-active extract from a plant; a preparationcomprising insect-active nematodes; a preparation obtainable fromBacillus subtilis; a preparation comprising insect-active fungi; apreparation comprising insect-active viruses; AC 303 630; acephate;acrinathrin; alanycarb; alphamethrin; amitraz; AZ 60541; azinphos A;azinphos M; azocyclotin; bendiocarb; bensultap; betacyfluthrin; BPMC;brofenprox; bromophos A; bufencarb; butocarboxim; butylpyridaben;cadusafos; carbaryl; carbophenothion; chloethocarb; chlorethoxyfos;chlormephos; cis-res-methrin; clocythrin; clofentezine; cyanophos;cycloprothrin; cyhexatin; demeton M; demeton S; demeton-S-methyl;dichlofenthion; dicliphos; diethion; dimethoate; dimethylvinphos;dioxathion; edifenphos; emamectin; esfenvalerate; ethion; ethofenprox;ethoprophos; etrimphos; fenamiphos; fenbutatin oxide; fenothiocarb;fenpropathrin; fenpyrad; fenthion; fluazinam; flucycloxuron;flucythrinate; flufenoxuron; flufenprox; fonophos; fosthiazate;fubfenprox; HCH; hexaflumuron; hexythiazox; IKI-220; iprobenfos;isofenphos; isoxathion; ivermectin; lambda-cyhalothrin; malathion;mecarbam; mesulfenphos; metaldehyd; metolcarb; milbemectin; moxidectin;naled; NC 184; omethoate; oxamyl; oxydemethon M; oxydeprofos;permethrin; phenthoate; phorate; phosmet; phoxim; pirimiphos M;pirimiphos A; promecarb; propaphos; prothiofos; prothoate; pyrachlophos;pyrada-phenthion; pyresmethrin; pyrethrum; RH 5992; salithion; sebufos;sulfotep; sulprofos; tebufenpyrad; tebupirimphos; tefluthrin; temephos;terbam; tetrachlorvinphos; thiacloprid; thiamethoxam; thiafenox;thiodicarb; thiofanox; thionazin; thuringiensin; tralomethrin;triarathen; triazophos; triazuron; trichlorfon; triflumuron;trimethacarb; vamidothion; xylylcarb; YI 5301/5302; zetamethrin;DPX-MP062; RH-2485; D 2341 or XMC (3,5-xylyl methylcarbamate).

The said animal pests include, for example, those mentioned in EuropeanPatent Application EP-A-736 252, page 5, line 55, to page 6, line 55.The pests mentioned therein are therefore included by reference in thesubject matter of the present invention.

It is also possible to control pests of the class Nematoda using thecompounds according to the invention. Such pests include, for example,

root knot nematodes, cyst-forming nematodes and also stem and leafnematodes;

especially of Heterodera spp., e.g. Heterodera schachtii, Heterodoraavenae and Heterodora trifolii; Globodera spp., e.g. Globoderarostochiensis; Meloidogyne spp., e.g. Meloidogyne incognita andMeloidogyne javanica; Radopholus spp., e.g. Radopholus simiis;Pratylenchus, e.g. Pratylenchus neglectans and Pratylenchus penetrans;Tylenchulus, e.g. Tylenchulus semipenetrans; Longidorus, Trichodorus,Xiphinema, Ditylenchus, Apheenchoides and Anguina; insbesondereMeloidogyne, e.g. Meloidogyne incognita, and Heterodera, e.g. Heteroderaglycines.

An especially important aspect of the present invention is the use ofthe compounds of formula (I) according to the invention in theprotection of plants against parasitic feeding pests.

The compounds according to the invention can be used to control, i.e. toinhibit or destroy, pests of the mentioned type occurring on plants,especially on useful plants and ornamentals in agriculture, inhorticulture and in forestry, or on parts of such plants, such as thefruits, blossoms, leaves, stems, tubers or roots, while in some casesplant parts that grow later are still protected against those pests.

Target crops include especially cereals, such as wheat, barley, rye,oats, rice, maize and sorghum; beet, such as sugar beet and fodder beet;fruit, e.g. pomes, stone fruit and soft fruit, such as apples, pears,plums, peaches, almonds, cherries and berries, e.g. strawberries,raspberries and blackberries; leguminous plants, such as beans, lentils,peas and soybeans; oil plants, such as rape, mustard, poppy, olives,sunflowers, coconut, castor oil, cocoa and groundnuts; cucurbitaceae,such as marrows, cucumbers and melons; fibre plants, such as cotton,flax, hemp and jute; citrus fruits, such as oranges, lemons, grapefruitand mandarins; vegetables, such as spinach, lettuce, asparagus,cabbages, carrots, onions, tomatoes, potatoes and paprika; lauraceae,such as avocado, cinnamon and camphor; and tobacco, nuts, coffee,aubergines, sugar cane, tea, pepper, vines, hops, bananas, naturalrubber plants and ornamentals.

Further areas of use of the compounds according to the invention are theprotection of stored goods and storerooms and the protection of rawmaterials, and also in the hygiene sector, especially the protection ofdomestic animals and productive livestock against pests of the mentionedtype, more especially the protection of domestic animals, especiallycats and dogs, from attack by fleas, ticks and nematodes.

The invention therefore relates also to pesticidal compositions, such asemulsifiable concentrates, suspension concentrates, directly sprayableor dilutable solutions, spreadable pastes, dilute emulsions, wettablepowders, soluble powders, dispersible powders, wettable powders, dusts,granules and encapsulations of polymer substances, that comprise atleast one of the compounds according to the invention, the choice offormulation being made in accordance with the intended objectives andthe prevailing circumstances.

The active ingredient is used in those compositions in pure form, asolid active ingredient, for example, in a specific particle size, orpreferably together with at least one of the adjuvants customary informulation technology, such as extenders, e.g. solvents or solidcarriers, or surface-active compounds (surfactants). In the area ofparasite control in humans, domestic animals, productive livestock andpets it will be self-evident that only physiologically tolerableadditives are used.

As formulation adjuvants there are used, for example, solid carriers,solvents, stabilisers, “slow release” adjuvants, colourings andoptionally surface-active substances (surfactants). Suitable carriersand adjuvants include all substances customarily used. As adjuvants,such as solvents, solid carriers, surface-active compounds, non-ionicsurfactants, cationic surfactants, anionic surfactants and furtheradjuvants in the compositions used according to the invention, therecome into consideration, for example, those described in EP-A-736 252,page 7, line 51 to page 8, line 39.

The compositions for use in crop protection and in humans, domesticanimals and productive livestock generally comprise from 0.1 to 99%,especially from 0.1 to 95%, of active ingredient and from 1 to 99.9%,especially from 5 to 99.9%, of at least one solid or liquid adjuvant,the composition generally including from 0 to 25%, especially from 0.1to 20%, of surfactants (%=% by weight in each case). Whereas commercialproducts will preferably be formulated as concentrates, the end userwill normally employ dilute formulations having considerably lowerconcentrations of active ingredient.

Preferred crop protection products have especially the followingcompositions (%=percent by weight):

Emulsifiable concentrates: active ingredient: 1 to 90%, preferably 5 to20% surfactant: 1 to 30%, preferably 10 to 20% solvent: 5 to 98%,preferably 70 to 85% Dusts: active ingredient:  0.1 to 10%, preferably0.1 to 1% solid carrier: 99.9 to 90%, preferably 99.9 to 99% Suspensionconcentrates: active ingredient:  5 to 75%, preferably 10 to 50% water:94 to 24%, preferably 88 to 30% surfactant:  1 to 40%, preferably 2 to30% Wettable powders: active ingredient: 0.5 to 90%, preferably 1 to 80%surfactant: 0.5 to 20%, preferably 1 to 15% solid carrier:   5 to 99%,preferably 15 to 98% Granules: active ingredient:  0.5 to 30%,preferably 3 to 15% solid carrier: 99.5 to 70%, preferably 97 to 85%

The compositions according to the invention may also comprise furthersolid or liquid adjuvants, such as stabilisers, e.g. vegetable oils orepoxidised vegetable oils (e.g. epoxidised coconut oil, rapeseed oil orsoybean oil), antifoams, e.g. silicone oil, preservatives, viscosityregulators, binders and/or tackifiers as well as fertilisers or otheractive ingredients for obtaining special effects, e.g. acaricides,bactericides, fungicides, nematicides, molluscicides or selectiveherbicides.

The crop protection products according to the invention are prepared inknown manner, in the absence of adjuvants, e.g. by grinding, sievingand/or compressing a solid active ingredient or mixture of activeingredients, for example to a certain particle size, and in the presenceof at least one adjuvant, for example by intimately mixing and/orgrinding the active ingredient or mixture of active ingredients with theadjuvant(s). The invention relates likewise to those processes for thepreparation of the compositions according to the invention and to theuse of the compounds of formula (I) in the preparation of thosecompositions.

The invention relates also to the methods of application of the cropprotection products, i.e. the methods of controlling pests of thementioned type, such as spraying, atomising, dusting, coating, dressing,scattering or pouring, which are selected in accordance with theintended objectives and the prevailing circumstances, and to the use ofthe compositions for controlling pests of the mentioned type. Typicalrates of concentration are from 0.1 to 1000 ppm, preferably from 0.1 to500 ppm, of active ingredient. The rates of application per hectare aregenerally from 1 to 2000 g of active ingredient per hectare, especiallyfrom 10 to 1000 g/ha, preferably from 20 to 600 g/ha.

A preferred method of application in the area of crop protection isapplication to the foliage of the plants (foliar application), thefrequency and the rate of application being dependent upon the risk ofinfestation by the pest in question. However, the active ingredient canalso penetrate the plants through the roots (systemic action) when thelocus of the plants is impregnated with a liquid formulation or when theactive ingredient is incorporated in solid form into the locus of theplants, for example into the soil, e.g. in granular form (soilapplication). In the case of paddy rice crops, such granules may beapplied in metered amounts to the flooded rice field.

The crop protection products according to the invention are alsosuitable for protecting plant propagation material, e.g. seed, such asfruits, tubers or grains, or plant cuttings, against animal pests. Thepropagation material can be treated with the composition beforeplanting: seed, for example, can be dressed before being sown. Theactive ingredients according to the invention can also be applied tograins (coating), either by impregnating the seeds in a liquidformulation or by coating them with a solid formulation. The compositioncan also be applied to the planting site when the propagation materialis being planted, for example to the seed furrow during sowing. Theinvention relates also to such methods of treating plant propagationmaterial and to the plant propagation material so treated.

PREPARATION EXAMPLES Preparation of the free bases Example P1.14″-Desoxy-4″-epi-(N-3-fluorophenylmethyl-amino)-avermectin B1

1.0 g of 4″-desoxy-4″-epi-amino-avermectin B1 is dissolved in 12 ml oftetrahydrofuran. 1.8 ml of acetic acid, 0.2 ml of water and 0.18 ml of3-fluorobenzaldehyde are added. 90 mg of sodium cyanoborohydride arethen added. The mixture is stirred at room temperature for 12 hours.Extraction is then carried out with ethyl acetate and saturated sodiumchloride solution; the organic phase is dried over sodium sulfate andthe solvents are distilled off. The residue is purified bychromatography on silica gel (hexane/ethyl acetate), yielding4″-desoxy-4″-epi-(N-3-fluorophenylmethyl-amino)-avermectin B1.

Example P1.2 4″-Desoxy-4″-epi-N-ethylamino-avermectin B1

4.0 g of 4″-desoxy-4″-epi-amino-avermectin B1 are dissolved in 24 ml ofethyl acetate. 7.4 ml of ethyl iodide and 24 ml of sodium bicarbonate(1N in water) are added. The mixture is stirred vigorously at roomtemperature for 14 hours. The phases are then separated; the organicphase is dried over sodium sulfate and the solvents are distilled off.The residue is purified by chromatography on silica gel (hexane/ethylacetate), yielding 4″-desoxy-4″-epi-N-ethylamino-avermectin B1.

Example P1.34″-Desoxy-4″-epi-N-(isopropoxycarbonyl-methyl)-amino-avermectin B1

300 mg of 4″-desoxy-4″-epi-amino-avermectin B1 are dissolved in 3 ml ofethyl acetate. 620 mg of isopropyl bromoacetate and 3 ml of sodiumbicarbonate (1N in water) are added. The mixture is stirred vigorouslyat room temperature for 18 hours. The phases are then separated; theorganic phase is dried over sodium sulfate and the solvent is distilledoff. The residue is purified by chromatography on silica gel(hexane/ethyl acetate), yielding4″-desoxy-4″-epi-N-(isopropoxy-carbonyl-methyl)-amino-avermectin B1.

Example P2.14″-Desoxy-4″-epi-(N-methyl-N-1-propen-3-yl-amino)-avermectin B1

600 mg of 4″-desoxy-4″-epi-methylamino-avermectin B1 are dissolved in 6ml of ethyl acetate. 0.56 ml of allyl bromide and 6 ml of sodiumbicarbonate (1N in water) are added. The mixture is stirred vigorouslyat 60° C. for 18 hours, then cooled. The phases are then separated; theorganic phase is dried over sodium sulfate and the solvent is distilledoff. The residue is purified by chromatography on silica gel(hexane/ethyl acetate), yielding4″-desoxy-4″-epi-(N-methyl-N-1-propen-3-yl-amino)-avermectin B1.

Example P2.24″-Desoxy-4″-epi-(N-2-hydroxyethyl-N-methylamino)-avermectin B1

Step 1: 4.55 g of 4″-desoxy-4″-epi-methylamino-avermectin B1 aredissolved in 45 ml of ethyl acetate. 8.6 g of ethyl bromoacetate and 45ml of sodium bicarbonate (1N in water) are added. The mixture is stirredvigorously at 60° C. for 18 hours, then cooled. The phases are thenseparated; the organic phase is dried over sodium sulfate and thesolvent is distilled off. The residue is purified by chromatography onsilica gel (hexane/ethyl acetate), yielding4″-desoxy-4″-epi-(N-methyl-N-ethoxycarbonylmethyl-amino)-avermectin B1.

Step 2: 300 mg of4″-desoxy-4″-epi-(N-methyl-N-ethoxycarbonylmethyl-amino)-avermectin B1are dissolved in 6 ml of toluene. With stirring at room temperature, 1.3ml of diisobutylaluminium hydride (1.2 mol/l in toluene) are added.After 15 minutes, extraction is carried out with ethyl acetate andsaturated ammonium chloride solution. The phases are then separated; theorganic phase is dried over sodium sulfate and the solvent is distilledoff. The residue is purified by chromatography on silica gel (ethylacetate/methanol), yielding4″-desoxy-4″-epi-(N-2-hydroxyethyl-N-methylamino)-avermectin B1.

Example P2.3 4″-Desoxy-4″-epi-(N-isopropyl-N-methylamino)-avermectin B1

2.0 g of 4″-desoxy-4″-epi-isopropylamino-avermectin B1 are dissolved in20 ml of ethyl acetate. 4 ml of methyl iodide and 20 ml of sodiumbicarbonate (1N in water) are added and the mixture is stirredvigorously at 60° C. for 14 hours, then cooled. The phases are thenseparated; the organic phase is dried over sodium sulfate and thesolvent is distilled off. The residue is purified by chromatography onsilica gel (ethyl acetate), yielding4″-desoxy-4″-epi-(N-isopropyl-N-methylamino)-avermectin B1.

Example P2.4 4″-Desoxy-4″-epi-(N-isopropyl-N-methylamino)-avermectin B1

9.14 g of 4″-desoxy-4″-epi-isopropylamino-avermectin B1 are dissolved in100 ml of methanol. 15 ml of pivalic acid and 25 ml of formaldehydesolution (37% in water) are added. 0.7 g of sodium cyanoborohydride isthen added. The mixture is stirred at room temperature for 1 hour, thenthe methanol is evaporated off in vacuo and the residue is extractedwith ethyl acetate and saturated sodium bicarbonate solution. The phasesare then separated; the organic phase is dried over sodium sulfate andthe solvent is distilled off. The residue is purified by chromatographyon silica gel (ethyl acetate/methanol), yielding4″-desoxy-4″-epi-(N-isopropyl-N-methylamino)-avermectin B1.

Example P2.5 4″-Desoxy-4″-epi-(N-carboxymethyl-N-methylamino)-avermectinB1

Step 1: 10 g of 4″-desoxy-4″-epi-methylamino-avermectin B1 are dissolvedin 100 ml of ethyl acetate. 15.6 g of benzyl bromoacetate and 100 ml ofsodium bicarbonate (1N in water) are added. The mixture is stirredvigorously at 60° C. for 5 days, then cooled. The phases are thenseparated; the organic phase is dried over sodium sulfate and thesolvent is distilled off. The residue is purified by chromatography onsilica gel (hexane/ethyl acetate), yielding4″-desoxy-4″-epi-(N-benzyloxycarbonyl-methyl-N-methylamino)-avermectinB1.

Step 2: 7.8 g of4″-desoxy-4″-epi-(N-benzyloxycarbonyl-methyl-N-methylamino)-avermectinB1 are dissolved in 100 ml of tetrahydrofuran. 780 mg of palladium (5%on carbon) are added and hydrogenation is carried out at normal pressureand room temperature. After one hour the absorption of hydrogen hasceased. The mixture is filtered over Celite and the solvent isevaporated off, yielding4″-desoxy-4″-epi-(N-carboxymethyl-N-methylamino)-avermectin B1.

Example P2.6 4″-Desoxy-4″-epi-(N-carboxymethyl-N-methylamino)-avermectinB1

Step 1: 15 g of 4″-desoxy-4″-epi-methylamino-avermectin B1 are dissolvedin 120 ml of ethyl acetate. 26 g of methyl bromoacetate and 120 ml ofsodium bicarbonate (1N in water) are added. The mixture is stirredvigorously at 60° C. for 5 days, then cooled. The phases are thenseparated; the organic phase is dried over sodium sulfate and thesolvent is distilled off. The residue is purified by chromatography onsilica gel (hexane/ethyl acetate), yielding4″-desoxy-4″-epi-(N-methoxycarbonyl-methyl-amino-N-methyl)-avermectinB1.

Step 2: 10 g of4″-desoxy-4″-epi-(N-methoxycarbonylmethyl-amino-N-methyl)-avermectin B1are dissolved in 90 ml of tetrahydrofuran. 10 ml of water and 440 mg oflithium hydroxide monohydrate are added and stirring is carried out atroom temperature for 14 hours. Extraction is then carried out with waterand diethyl ether, and the aqueous phase is separated off andlyophilised. The residue is extracted with ethyl acetate and citric acid(10% in water); the organic phase is dried over sodium sulfate and thesolvent is distilled off, yielding4″-desoxy-4″-epi-(N-carboxymethyl-N-methylamino)-avermectin B1.

Example P2.7 4′-Desoxy-4″-epi-(N-ethyl-N-methylamino)-avermectin B1

8.0 g of 4″-desoxy-4″-epi-N-methylamino-avermectin B1 are dissolved in50 ml of ethyl acetate. 15 ml of ethyl iodide and 50 ml of sodiumbicarbonate (1N in water) are added. The mixture is stirred vigorouslyat 60° C. for 2 days. The phases are then separated; the organic phaseis dried over sodium sulfate and the solvents are distilled off. Theresidue is purified by chromatography on silica gel (ethylacetate/methanol), yielding 4″-desoxy-4″-epi-(N-ethyl-N-methylamino)-avermectin B1.

Example P2.84″-Desoxy-4″-epi-{N-[(1-benzyloxycarbonyl-ethylcarbamoyl)-methyl]-N-methylamino}-avermectin B1

500 mg of 4″-desoxy-4″-epi-(N-carboxymethyl-N-methylamino)-avermectin Bare dissolved in 5 ml of ethyl acetate, then 170 mg of L-alanine benzylester, 72 mg of 1-hydroxy-7-aza-benzotriazole and 110 mg ofN,N-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide are added. Stirring is carried out at roomtemperature for 7 days. The mixture is then extracted with ethyl acetateand sodium bicarbonate (1N in water); the organic phase is dried oversodium sulfate and the solvent is distilled off. The residue is purifiedby chromatography on silica gel (hexane/ethyl acetate), yielding4″-desoxy-4″-epi-{N-[(1-benzyloxycarbonyl-ethylcarbamoyl)-methyl]-N-methylamino}-avermectin B1.

Example P2.94″-Desoxy-4″-epi-{N-[(1-carboxy-ethylcarbamoyl)-methyl]-N-methyl-amino}-avermectin B1

160 mg of4″-desoxy-4″-epi-{N-[(1-benzyloxycarbonyl-ethylcarbamoyl)-methyl]-N-methylamino}-avermectin B1 are dissolved in 10 ml of tetrahydrofuran.50 mg of palladium (5% on carbon) are added and hydrogenation is carriedout at normal pressure and room temperature. After 3 hours theabsorption of hydrogen has ceased. The mixture is filtered over Celiteand the solvent is evaporated off, yielding4″-desoxy-4″-epi-{N-[(1-carboxy-ethyl-carbamoyl)-methyl]-N-methylamino}-avermectin B1.

Example P2.104″-Desoxy-4″-epi-[N-(2-hydroxy-2-methyl-propyl)-N-methylamino]-avermectinB1

300 mg of4″-desoxy-4″-epi-(N-methyl-N-ethoxycarbonylmethyl-amino)-avermectin B1(Step 1 from P2.2) are dissolved in 6 ml of tetrahydrofuran. Withstirring at room temperature, 0.64 ml of methylmagnesium bromide (3mol/l in diethyl ether) is added. After one hour, extraction is carriedout with ethyl acetate and saturated ammonium chloride solution. Thephases are then separated; the organic phase is dried over sodiumsulfate and the solvents are distilled off. The residue is purified bychromatography on silica gel (ethyl acetate/methanol), yielding4″-desoxy-4″-epi-[N-(2-hydroxy-2-methyl-propyl)-N-methyl-amino]-avermectin B1.

Example P3.14″-Desoxy-4″-epi-[N,N-bis(1-phenyl-1-propen-3-yl)amino]-avermectin B1

3.48 g of 4″-desoxy-4″-epi-amino-avermectin B1 are dissolved in 40 ml ofethyl acetate. 4.62 g of 3-bromo-1-phenyl-1-propene and 40 ml of sodiumbicarbonate (1N in water) are added. The mixture is stirred vigorouslyat 60° C. for 3 days and then cooled. The phases are then separated; theorganic phase is dried over sodium sulfate and the solvent is distilledoff. The residue is purified by chromatography on silica gel(hexane/ethyl acetate) yielding4″-desoxy-4″-epi-[N,N-bis(1-phenyl-1-propen-3-yl)amino]-avermectin B1.

Example P3.2 4″-Desoxy-4″-epi-(azetidin-1-yl)-avermectin B1

300 mg of 4″-desoxy-4″-epi-amino-avermectin B1 are dissolved in 1 ml oftoluene. 0.106 ml of 1,3-dibromopropane and 1 ml of sodium bicarbonate(1N in water) are added. The mixture is stirred vigorously at 90° C. for24 hours, then cooled. The phases are then separated; the organic phaseis dried over sodium sulfate and the solvent is distilled off. Theresidue is purified by chromatography on silica gel (ethylacetate/methanol), yielding 4″-desoxy-4″-epi-(azetidin-1-yl)-avermectinB1.

Example P3.34″-Desoxy-4″-epi-[N,N-bis(3,3-dimethyl-butyl)amino]-avermectin B1

0.87 g of 4″-desoxy-4″-epi-amino-avermectin B1 is dissolved in 10 ml oftetrahydrofuran. 1 ml of pivalic acid, 0.1 ml of water and 0.60 g of3,3-dimethylbutyraldehyde are added. 0.38 g of sodium cyanoborohydrideis then added. The mixture is stirred at room temperature for 14 hours.Extraction is then carried out with ethyl acetate and sodium bicarbonate(1N in water); the organic phase is dried over sodium sulfate and thesolvents are distilled off. The residue is purified by chromatography onsilica gel (hexane/ethyl acetate), yielding4″-desoxy-4″-epi-[N,N-bis(3,3-dimethyl-butyl)amino]-avermectin B1.

Preparation of Salts of Formula (I)

Example P4.1 Preparation of4″-deoxy-4″-epi-N,N-dimethylammonium-avermectin B1 benzoate

500 mg of 4″-deoxy-4″-epi-N,N-dimethylamino-avermectin B1 and 67 mg ofbenzoic acid are dissolved in 5 ml of dichloromethane. The solvent isevaporated off and the residue is suspended in diethyl ether andfiltered off over a glass frit. The filtration residue is washed withdiethyl ether and dried on the frit in a stream of air.4″-Deoxy-4″-epi-N,N-dimethyl-ammonium-avermectin B1 benzoate isobtained.

Example P4.2 Preparation of4″-deoxy-4″-epi-N,N-dimethylammonium-avermectin B1 maleate (1:1)

500 mg of 4″-deoxy-4″-epi-N,N-dimethylamino-avermectin B1 and 64 mg ofmaleic acid are dissolved in 5 ml of dichloromethane. The solvent isevaporated off and the residue is suspended in diethyl ether andfiltered off over a glass frit. The filtration residue is washed withdiethyl ether and dried on the frit in a stream of air.4″-Deoxy-4″-epi-N,N-dimethyl -ammonium-avermectin B1 maleate isobtained.

Example P4.3 Preparation of4″-deoxy-4″-epi-N,N-dimethylammonium-avermectin B1 salicylate

500 mg of 4″-deoxy-4″-epi-N,N-dimethylamino-avermectin B1 and 76 mg ofsalicylic acid are dissolved in 5 ml of dichloromethane. The solvent isevaporated off and the residue is suspended in diethyl ether andfiltered off over a glass frit. The filtration residue is washed withdiethyl ether and dried on the frit in a stream of air.4″-Deoxy-4″-epi-N,N-dimethyl -ammonium-avermectin B1 salicylate isobtained.

Example P4.4 Preparation of4″-deoxy-4″-epi-N,N-dimethylammonium-avermectin B1 citrate (1:1)

500 mg of 4″-deoxy-4″-epi-N,N-dimethylamino-avermectin B1 and 106 mg ofcitric acid are dissolved in 5 ml of dichloromethane. The solvent isevaporated off and the residue is suspended in diethyl ether andfiltered off over a glass frit. The filtration residue is washed withdiethyl ether and dried on the frit in a stream of air.4″-Deoxy-4″-epi-N,N-dimethyl -ammonium-avermectin B1 citrate isobtained.

Example P4.5 Preparation of4″-deoxy-4″-epi-N,N-dimethylammonium-avermectin B1 benzenesulfonate

500 mg of 4″-deoxy-4″-epi-N,N-dimethylamino-avermectin B1 and 87 mg ofbenzene -sulfonic acid are dissolved in 5 ml of acetonitrile. Thesolvent is evaporated off and the residue is suspended in diethyl etherand filtered off over a glass frit. The filtration residue is washedwith diethyl ether and dried on the frit in a stream of air.4″-Deoxy-4″-epi-N,N -dimethylammonium-avermectin B1 benzenesulfonate isobtained.

Example P5.1 Preparation of4″-deoxy-4″-epi-N-isopropylammonium-avermectin B1 benzoate

300 mg of 4″-deoxy-4″-epi-N-isopropylamino-avermectin B1 and 38 mg ofbenzoic acid are dissolved in 1 ml of acetonitrile. The solvent isevaporated off and the residue is suspended in a small amount of hexaneand filtered off over a glass frit. The filtration residue is dried onthe frit in a stream of air. 4″-Deoxy-4″-epi-N-isopropylammonium-avermectin B1 benzoate is obtained.

Example P5.2 Preparation of4″-deoxy-4″-epi-N-isopropylammonium-avermectin B1 maleate (1:1)

300 mg of 4″-deoxy-4″-epi-N-isopropylamino-avermectin B1 and 36 mg ofmaleic acid are dissolved in 1 ml of acetonitrile. 3 ml of toluene areadded and then 20 ml of hexane. The mixture is filtered over a glassfrit, washed with hexane and dried on the frit in a stream of air.4″-Deoxy-4″-epi-N-isopropylammonium-avermectin B1 maleate is obtained.

Example P5.3 Preparation of4″-deoxy-4″-epi-N-isopropylammonium-avermectin B1 salicylate

300 mg of 4″-deoxy-4″-epi-N-isopropylamino-avermectin B1 and 43 mg ofsalicylic acid are dissolved in 1 ml of acetonitrile. 3 ml of tolueneare added and then 20 ml of hexane. The mixture is filtered over a glassfrit, washed with hexane and dried on the frit in a stream of air.4″-Deoxy-4″-epi-N-isopropylammonium-avermectin B1 salicylate isobtained.

Example P5.4 Preparation of4″-deoxy-4″-epi-N-isopropylammonium-avermectin B1 citrate (1:1)

300 mg of 4″-deoxy-4″-epi-N-isopropylamino-avermectin B1 and 65 mg ofcitric acid are dissolved in 1 ml of acetonitrile. 3 ml of toluene areadded and then 20 ml of hexane. The mixture is filtered over a glassfrit, washed with hexane and dried on the frit in a stream of air.4″-Deoxy-4″-epi-N-isopropylammonium-avermectin B1 citrate is obtained.

Example P5.5 Preparation of4″-deoxy-4″-epi-N-isopropylammonium-avermectin B1 benzenesulfonate

300 mg of 4″-deoxy-4″-epi-N-isopropylamino-avermectin B1 and 49 mg ofbenzene -sulfonic acid are dissolved in 1 ml of acetonitrile. 3 ml oftoluene are added and then 20 ml of hexane. The mixture is filtered overa glass frit, washed with hexane and dried on the frit in a stream ofair. 4′-Deoxy-4″-epi-N-isopropylammonium-avermectin B1 citrate isobtained.

Example P6.1

Analogously to the above Preparation Examples it is also possible toprepare the compounds listed in Tables 1 to 60.

TABLE A Compounds of formula (I) can be formed especially with thefollowing acids: No. A.1)

benzoic acid A.2) cis-HOOC—CH═CHCOOH maleic acid A.3)trans-HOOC—CH═CHCOOH fumaric acid A.4)

2-hydroxybenzoic acid, salicyclic acid A.5) HOOC—CH(OH)CH₂COOH malicacid A.6)

benzenesulfonic acid A.7)

barbituric acid A.8)

2-ethylbutyric acid A.9) HOOC—CH(SH)CH₂COOH thiomalic acid A.10)

3,5-dihydroxy-benzoic acid A.11)

trimesic acid A.12)

D-(−)-quinic acid A.13)

2-bromo-benzoic acid A.14)

2-phenyl-benzoic acid A.15)

3,3′-thiodipropionic acid A.16)

naphthalene-1-carboxylic acid A.17)

5-sulfosalicyclic acid A.18)

2-methoxy-phenylacetic acid A.19)

benzene-1,2,4-tricarboxylic acid A.20)

3-hydroxy-benzoic acid A.21)

D-gluconic acid A.22)

4,5-dichloro-phthalic acid A.23) HOOC—(CH₂)₅CH₃ n-hexanoic acid (caproicacid) A.24) HOOC—(CH₂)₇CH₃ n-heptanoic acid (oenanthic acid) A.25)HOOC—(CH₂)₈CH₃ n-octanoic acid (caprylic acid) A.26) HOOC—(CH₂)₁₆CH₃stearic acid A.27) HOOC—(CH₂)₁₄CH₃ palmitic acid A.28)

2,2′-dihydroxy-1,1′-dinaphthylmethane-3,3′-4,4′-methylene-bis(3-hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid) embonic acid A.29)

4-methoxy-phenylacetic acid homoanisic acid A.30)

2-anisic acid (2-methoxy-benzoic acid) A.31)

adamantane-1-carboxylic acid A.32)

pyridine-3,4-dicarboxylic acid A.33)

3,4-dihydroxy-benzoic acid A.34)

1-hydroxy-2-naphthanoic acid (1-naphthol-2-carboxylic acid) A.35)

2,2′-oxydiacetic acid (diglycolic acid) A.36)

O-ethyl-glycolic acid A.37)

(2-naphthylthio)-acetic acid (S-(2-naphthyl)-thioglycolic acid) A.38)

2-naphthoxxy-acetic acid A.39)

perfluoro-octanoic acid A.40)

p-toluic acid A.41)

cyclohexanepropionic acid A.42)

2,6-dihydroxypyridine-4-carboxylic acid (citrazinic acid) A.43)

3-methoxypropionic acid A.44)

3,4,5-trihydroxy-benzoic acid (gallic acid) A.45)

pyromucic acid (furan-2-carboxylic acid) A.46)

2-methyl-benzoic acid (o-toluic acid) A.47)

3,6,9-trioxa-undecanedioic acid A.48)

3-(4-methoxyphenyl)-propionic acid (p-methoxy-hydrocinnamic acid) A.49)3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-propionic acid A.50)

O-acetyl-salicyclic acid (aspirin) A.51)

3-fluoro-benzoic acid A.52)

cyclohexanecarboxylic acid A.53)

5-chloro-2-hydroxy-benzoic acid (5-chloro-salicyclic acid) A.54)

2,5-dimethyl-benzoic acid (p-xylic acid) A.55)

3,4,5-trimethoxy-benzoic acid (trimethylgallic acid) A.56)

2,4,6-trimethyl-benzoic acid A.57)

3-phenoxy-benzoic acid A.58)

4-phenyl-butyric acid A.59)

3-trifluoromethyl-benzoic acid A.60)

terephthalic acid monomethyl ester A.61)

o-hydroxy-phenylacetic acid A.62)

isophthalic acid A.63)

2,4,6-trihydroxy-benzoic acid A.64)

trifluoromethanesulfonic acid A.65)

2-methyl-propionic acid (isobutyric acid) A.66)

2,4-dimethoxy-benzoic acid A.67)

2-thienylacetic acid (thiophene-2-acetic acid) A.68)

3,4-dimethoxy-benzoic acid (veratric acid) A.69)

2,2-bis(hydroxymethyl)-propionic acid A.70)

2-fluoro-phenylacetic acid A.71)

2-methyl-butyric acid A.72)

hydroxy-acetic acid A.73)

4-chloro-phenylacetic acid A.74)

2-mercaptobenzoic acid (thiosalicylic acid) A.75)

(+/−)-2-hydroxyphenyl-acetic acid (DL-mandelic acid) A.76)

2,4-dihydroxypyrimidine-6-carboxylic acid A.77)

toluene-4-sulfonic acid (p-toluene-sulfonic acid) A.78)

2-chloro-phenylacetic acid A.79)

2,4-dichloro-benzoic acid A.80) 2,6-dichloro-benzoic acid A.81)

2-mercapto-propionic acid (thiolactic acid) A.82)

2-chloro-benzoic acid A.83)

methanesulfonic acid A.84)

ethanesulfonic acid (ethyl-sulfuric acid) A.85)

4-phenoxy-butyric acid A.86)

4-tert-butyl-benzoic acid A.87)

3,4-methylenedioxy-benzoic acid A.88)

bis(2-carboxyethyl) disulfide A.89)

pivalic acid (trimethylacetic acid) A.90)

nicotinic acid N-oxide A.91)

acrylic acid A.92)

3-benzoylpropionic acid (4-oxo-4-phenyl-butyric acid) A.93)

(1R)-(−)-camphor-10-sulfonic acid hydrate A.94)

2-chloro-4-fluoro-benzoic acid A.95)

3,5-dimethoxy-benzoic acid A.96)

2-sulfobenzoic acid A.97)

sulfoacetic acid A.98)

2-chloro-6-fluoro-benzoic acid A.99)

2,4-dihydroxy-benzoic acid A.100)

methoxyacetic acid A.101)

2,4,6-trimethyl-benzenesulfonic acid A.102)

tartaric acid A.103)

xanthene-9-carboxylic acid A.104)

4-pentenoic acid (allylacetic acid) A.105)

5-sulfosalicyclic acid A.106)

vinylacetic acid A.107)

2-butynedioic acid (acetylenedicarboxylic acid) A.108)

2-oxo-propionic acid (pyruvic acid) A.109)

cyclohexylacetic acid A.110)

2-hydroxyisobutyric acid A.111)

nicotinic acid A.112)

6-chloro-nicotinic acid A.113)

isonicotinic acid A.114)

picolinic acid A.115)

pyrazinecarboxylic acid A.116) HOOC—COOH oxalic acid A.117) CH₃CH₂COOHpropionic acid A.118) CF₃CF₂COOH pentafluoropropionic acid A.119)CH₃(CH₂)₂COOH butyric acid A.120) CF₃CF₂CF₂COOH heptafluorobutyric acidA.121) CH₃(CH₂)₃COOH valeric acid A.122)

citric acid A.123) HOCH₂CH(OH)COOH glyceric acid A.124) CH₃COOH aceticacid A.125) ClCH₂COOH chloroacetic acid A.126) Cl₂CHCOOH dichloroaceticacid A.127) CF₃COOH trifluoroacetic acid A.128) FCH₂COOH fluoroaceticacid A.129) CH₃CH(OH)COOH lactic acid A.130) HOOCCH₂COOH malonic acidA.131) HOOC—(CH₂)₂COOH succinic acid A.132) HOOC—(CH₂)₃COOH glutaricacid A.133) HOOC—(CH₂)₄COOH adipic acid A.134) HOOC—(CH₂)₅COOH pimelicacid A.135) HOOC—(CH₂)₆COOH suberic acid A.136) HOOC—(CH₂)₇COOH azelaicacid A.137) HOOC—(CH₂)₈COOH sebacic acid A.138)

phthalic acid A.139)

terephthalic acid A.140) H₃PO₄ phosphoric acid A.141) H₂SO₄ sulfuricacid A.142) HCl hydrochloric acid A.143) HBr hydrobromic acid A.144) HIhydriodic acid A.145) HNO₃ nitric acid A.146) HClO₄ perchloric acidA.147) CH₃C(═O)—CH₂—COOH acetoacetic acid A.148) NC—CH₂—COOH cyanoaceticacid A.149)

tetrahydrofuran-2-carboxylic acid A.150) CH≡C—COOH propionic acid A.151)H₂C═C(CH₃)—COOH methacrylic acid A.152) CH₃—CH═CH—COOH crotonic acidA.153)

picric acid

Table 1: A compound of formula (I) wherein R₁ is isopropyl and R₂ and R₃are hydrogen, and X⁻ in each case corresponds to the anion of one of theacids mentioned in lines A.1 to A.153 of Table A.

Table 2: A compound of formula (I) wherein R₁ is isopropyl, R₂ is methyland R₃ is methyl, and X⁻ in each case corresponds to the anion of one ofthe acids mentioned in lines A.1 to A.153 of Table A.

Table 3: A compound of formula (I) wherein R₁ is isopropyl, R₂ is methyland R₃ is ethyl, and X⁻ in each case corresponds to the anion of one ofthe acids mentioned in lines A.1 to A.153 of Table A.

Table 4: A compound of formula (I) wherein R₁ is isopropyl, R₂ is methyland R₃ is n -propyl, and X⁻ in each case corresponds to the anion of oneof the acids mentioned in lines A.1 to A.153 of Table A.

Table 5: A compound of formula (I) wherein R₁ is isopropyl, R₂ is methyland R₃ is isopropyl, and X⁻ in each case corresponds to the anion of oneof the acids mentioned in lines A.1 to A.153 of Table A.

Table 6: A compound of formula (I) wherein R₁ is isopropyl, R₂ is methyland R₃ is n -butyl, and X⁻ in each case corresponds to the anion of oneof the acids mentioned in lines A.1 to A.153 of Table A.

Table 7: A compound of formula (I) wherein R₁ is isopropyl, R₂ is methyland R₃ is isobutyl, and X⁻ in each case corresponds to the anion of oneof the acids mentioned in lines A.1 to A.153 of Table A.

Table 8: A compound of formula (I) wherein R₁ is isopropyl, R₂ is methyland R₃ is sec-butyl, and X⁻ in each case corresponds to the anion of oneof the acids mentioned in lines A.1 to A.153 of Table A.

Table 9: A compound of formula (I) wherein R₁ is isopropyl, R₂ is methyland R₃ is tert-butyl, and X⁻ in each case corresponds to the anion ofone of the acids mentioned in lines A.1 to A.153 of Table A.

Table 10: A compound of formula (I) wherein R₁is isopropyl, R₂ and R₃are ethyl, and X⁻ in each case corresponds to the anion of one of theacids mentioned in lines A.1 to A.153 of Table A.

Table 11: A compound of formula (I) wherein R₁ is isopropyl, R₂ ismethyl and R₃ is —CH₂—CH═CH₂, and X⁻ in each case corresponds to theanion of one of the acids mentioned in lines A.1 to A.153 of Table A.

Table 12: A compound of formula (I) wherein R₁ is isopropyl, R₂ ismethyl-and R₃ is —CH₂—C(═O)OC₂H₅, and X⁻ in each case corresponds to theanion of one of the acids mentioned in lines A.1 to A.153 of Table A.

Table 13: A compound of formula (I) wherein R₁ is isopropyl, R₂ ismethyl and R₃ is benzyl, and X⁻ in each case corresponds to the anion ofone of the acids mentioned in lines A.1 to A.153 of Table A.

Table 14: A compound of formula (I) wherein R₁ is isopropyl, R₂ and R₃together are —CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—, and X⁻ in each case corresponds to the anionof one of the acids mentioned in lines A.1 to A.153 of Table A.

Table 15: A compound of formula (I) wherein R₁ is isopropyl, R₂ and R₃together are —CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—, and X⁻ in each case corresponds to theanion of one of the acids mentioned in lines A.1 to A.153 of Table A.

Table 16: A compound of formula (I) wherein R₁ is isopropyl, R₂ ismethyl and R₃ is —CH₂—CH₂—OH, and X⁻ in each case corresponds to theanion of one of the acids mentioned in lines A.1 to A.153 of Table A.

Table 17: A compound of formula (I) wherein R₁ is isopropyl, R₂ ismethyl and R₃ is —CH₂—C(CH₃)OH, and X⁻ in each case corresponds to theanion of one of the acids mentioned in lines A.1 to A.153 of Table A.

Table 18: A compound of formula (I) wherein R₁ is isopropyl, R₂ ishydrogen and R₃ is ethyl, and X⁻ in each case corresponds to the anionof one of the acids mentioned in lines A.1 to A.153 of Table A.

Table 19: A compound of formula (I) wherein R₁ is isopropyl, R₂ ishydrogen and R₃ is —CH₂—CH═CH₂, and X⁻ in each case corresponds to theanion of one of the acids mentioned in lines A.1 to A.153 of Table A.

Table 20: A compound of formula (I) wherein R₁ is isopropyl, R₂ ishydrogen and R₃ is —CH₂—CH═CH, and X⁻ in each case corresponds to theanion of one of the acids mentioned in lines A.1 to A.153 of Table A.

Table 21: A compound of formula (I) wherein R₁ is isopropyl, R₂ ismethyl and R₃ is —CH₂—CH≡CH, and X⁻ in each case corresponds to theanion of one of the acids mentioned in lines A.1 to A.153 of Table A.

Table 22: A compound of formula (I) wherein R₁ is isopropyl, R₂ ishydrogen and R₃ is isopropyl, and X⁻ in each case corresponds to theanion of one of the acids mentioned in lines A.1 to A.153 of Table A.

Table 23: A compound of formula (I) wherein R₁ is isopropyl, R₂ ishydrogen and R₃ is n-propyl, and X⁻ in each case corresponds to theanion of one of the acids mentioned in lines A.1 to A.153 of Table A.

Table 24: A compound of formula (I) wherein R₁ is isopropyl, R₂ ishydrogen and R₃ is n-butyl, and X⁻ in each case corresponds to the anionof one of the acids mentioned in lines A.1 to A.153 of Table A.

Table 25: A compound of formula (I) wherein R₁ is isopropyl, R₂ ishydrogen and R₃ is —CH₂—CH(CH₃)₂, and X⁻ in each case corresponds to theanion of one of the acids mentioned in lines A.1 to A.153 of Table A.

Table 26: A compound of formula (I) wherein R₁ is isopropyl, R₂ ishydrogen and R₃ is

and X⁻ in each case corresponds to the anion of one of the acidsmentioned in lines A.1 to A.153 of Table A.

Table 27: A compound of formula (I) wherein R₁ is isopropyl, R₂ ishydrogen and R₃ is

and X⁻ in each case corresponds to the anion of one of the acidsmentioned in lines A.1 to A.153 of Table A.

Table 28: A compound of formula (I) wherein R₁ is isopropyl, R₂ ishydrogen and R₃ is —CH₂—C(═O)OC₂H₅, and X⁻ in each case corresponds tothe anion of one of the acids mentioned in lines A.1 to A.153 of TableA.

Table 29: A compound of formula (I) wherein R₁ is isopropyl, R₂ ishydrogen and R₃ is —CH₂—C₆H₄—O—CF₂H, and X⁻ in each case corresponds tothe anion of one of the acids mentioned in lines A.1 to A.153 of TableA.

Table 30: A compound of formula (I) wherein R₁ is isopropyl, R₂ ismethyl and R₃ is —CH₂—CH═CH—C(═O)OCH₂C(═O)C₆H₅, and X⁻ in each casecorresponds to the anion of one of the acids mentioned in lines A.1 toA.153 of Table A.

Table 31: A compound of formula (I) wherein R₁ is sec-butyl and R₂ andR₃ are hydrogen, and X⁻ in each case corresponds to the anion of one ofthe acids mentioned in lines A.1 to A.1 53 of Table A.

Table 32: A compound of formula (I) wherein R₁ is sec-butyl, R₂ ismethyl and R₃ is methyl, and X⁻ in each case corresponds to the anion ofone of the acids mentioned in lines A.1 to A.153 of Table A.

Table 33: A compound of formula (I) wherein R₁ is sec-butyl, R₂ ismethyl and R₃ is ethyl, and X⁻ in each case corresponds to the anion ofone of the acids mentioned in lines A.1 to A.153 of Table A.

Table 34: A compound of formula (I) wherein R₁ is sec-butyl, R₂ ismethyl and R₃ is n -propyl, and X⁻ in each case corresponds to the anionof one of the acids mentioned in lines A.1 to A.153 of Table A.

Table 35: A compound of formula (I) wherein R₁ is sec-butyl, R₂ ismethyl and R₃ is isopropyl, and X⁻ in each case corresponds to the anionof one of the acids mentioned in lines A.1 to A.153 of Table A.

Table 36: A compound of formula (I) wherein R₁ is sec-butyl, R₂ ismethyl and R₃ is n -butyl, and X⁻ in each case corresponds to the anionof one of the acids mentioned in lines A.1 to A.153 of Table A.

Table 37: A compound of formula (I) wherein R₁ is sec-butyl, R₂ ismethyl and R₃ is isobutyl, and X⁻ in each case corresponds to the anionof one of the acids mentioned in lines A.1 to A.153 of Table A.

Table 38: A compound of formula (I) wherein R₁ is sec-butyl, R₂ ismethyl and R₃ is sec-butyl, and X⁻ in each case corresponds to the anionof one of the acids mentioned in lines A.1 to A.153 of Table A.

Table 39: A compound of formula (I) wherein R₁ is sec-butyl, R₂ ismethyl and R₃ is tert-butyl, and X⁻ in each case corresponds to theanion of one of the acids mentioned in lines A.1 to A.153 of Table A.

Table 40: A compound of formula (I) wherein R₁ is sec-butyl, R₂ and R₃are ethyl, and X⁻ in each case corresponds to the anion of one of theacids mentioned in lines A.1 to A.153 of Table A.

Table 41: A compound of formula (I) wherein R₁ is sec-butyl, R₂ ismethyl and R₃ is —CH₂—CH═CH₂, and X⁻ in each case corresponds to theanion of one of the acids mentioned in lines A.1 to A.153 of Table A.

Table 42: A compound of formula (I) wherein R₁ is sec-butyl, R₂ ismethyl and R₃ is —CH₂—C(═O)OC₂H₅, and X⁻ in each case corresponds to theanion of one of the acids mentioned in lines A.1 to A.153 of Table A.

Table 43: A compound of formula (I) wherein R₁ is sec-butyl, R₂ ismethyl and R₃ is benzyl, and X⁻ in each case corresponds to the anion ofone of the acids mentioned in lines. A.1 to A.153 of Table A.

Table 44: A compound of formula (I) wherein R₁ is sec-butyl, R₂ and R₃together are —CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—, and X⁻ in each case corresponds to the anionof one of the acids mentioned in lines A.1 to A.153 of Table A.

Table 45: A compound of formula (I) wherein R₁ is sec-butyl, R₂ and R₃together are —CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—, and X⁻ in each case corresponds to theanion of one of the acids mentioned in lines A.1 to A.153 of Table A.

Table 46: A compound of formula (I) wherein R₁ is sec-butyl, R₂ ismethyl and R₃ is —CH₂—CH₂—OH, and X⁻ in each case corresponds to theanion of one of the acids mentioned in lines A.1 to A.153 of Table A.

Table 47: A compound of formula (I) wherein R₁ is sec-butyl, R₂ ismethyl and R₃ is —CH₂—C(CH₃)OH, and X⁻ in each case corresponds to theanion of one of the acids mentioned in lines A.1 to A.153 of Table A.

Table 48: A compound of formula (I) wherein R₁ is sec-butyl, R₂ ishydrogen and R₃ is ethyl, and X⁻ in each case corresponds to the anionof one of the acids mentioned in lines A.1 to A.153 of Table A.

Table 49: A compound of formula (I) wherein R₁ is sec-butyl, R₂ ishydrogen and R₃ is —CH₂—CH═CH₂, and X⁻ in each case corresponds to theanion of one of the acids mentioned in lines A.1 to A.153 of Table A.

Table 50: A compound of formula (I) wherein R₁ is sec-butyl, R₂ ishydrogen and R₃ is —CH₂—CH═CH, and X⁻ in each case corresponds to theanion of one of the acids mentioned in lines A.1 to A.153 of Table A.

Table 51: A compound of formula (I) wherein R₁ is sec-butyl, R₂ ismethyl and R₃ is —CH₂—CH≡CH, and X⁻ in each case corresponds to theanion of one of the acids mentioned in lines A.1 to A.153 of Table A.

Table 52: A compound of formula (I) wherein R₁ is sec-butyl, R₂ ishydrogen and R₃ is isopropyl, and X⁻ in each case corresponds to theanion of one of the acids mentioned in lines A.1 to A.153 of Table A.

Table 53: A compound of formula (I) wherein R₁ is sec-butyl, R₂ ishydrogen and R₃ is n-propyl, and X⁻ in each case corresponds to theanion of one of the acids mentioned in lines A.1 to A.153 of Table A.

Table 54: A compound of formula (I) wherein R₁ is sec-butyl, R₂ ishydrogen and R₃ is n-butyl, and X⁻ in each case corresponds to the anionof one of the acids mentioned in lines A.1 to A.153 of Table A.

Table 55: A compound of formula (I) wherein R₁ is sec-butyl, R₂ ishydrogen and R₃ is —CH₂—CH(CH₃)₂, and X⁻ in each case corresponds to theanion of one of the acids mentioned in lines A.1 to A.153 of Table A.

Table 56: A compound of formula (I) wherein R₁ is sec-butyl, R₂ ishydrogen and R₃ is

and X⁻ in each case corresponds to the anion of one of the acidsmentioned in lines A.1 to A.153 of Table A.

Table 57: A compound of formula (I) wherein R₁ is sec-butyl, R₂ ishydrogen and R₃ is

and X⁻ in each case corresponds to the anion of one of the acidsmentioned in lines A.1 to A.153 of Table A.

Table 58: A compound of formula (I) wherein R₁ is sec-butyl, R₂ ishydrogen and R₃ is —CH₂—C(═O)OC₂H₅, and X⁻ in each case corresponds tothe anion of one of the acids mentioned in lines A.1 to A.153 of TableA.

Table 59: A compound of formula (I) wherein R₁ is sec-butyl, R₂ ishydrogen and R₃ is —CH₂—C₆H₄—O—CF₂H, and X⁻ in each case corresponds tothe anion of one of the acids mentioned in lines A.1 to A.153 of TableA.

Table 60: A compound of formula (I) wherein R₁ is sec-butyl, R₂ ismethyl and R₃ is —CH₂—CH═CH—C(═O)OCH₂C(═O)C₆H₅, and X⁻ in each casecorresponds to the anion of one of the acids mentioned in lines A.1 toA.153 of Table A.

Tables B and C below show experimentally determined percentage contentsof C, H and N in compounds of formula (I) above. Since the compounds aremixtures of avermectin derivatives B1a and B1b wherein R₁ is isopropyland sec-butyl, respectively, and the proportion thereof in the mixtureis variable, the Tables do not give mathematically determined values forthe contents of C, H and N.

TABLE B Elemental analyses of compounds of formula

found content (%) No. X—H C H N B.1  benzoic acid 65.9 8.1 1.4 B.2 Maleic acid 61.8 8.0 1.4 B.3  2-hydroxybenzoic acid, salicyclic acid62.4 7.7 1.3 B.4  benzenesulfonic acid 61.0 7.8 1.5 B.5  2-ethylbutyricacid 65.4 8.7 1.4 B.6  thiomalic acid 60.1 7.9 1.3 B.7 3,5-dihydroxy-benzoic acid 62.3 7.9 1.3 B.8  trimesic acid 61.2 7.5 1.2B.9  D-(−)-quinic acid 60.2 8.1 1.3 B.10 2-bromo-benzoic acid 60.4 7.41.2 B.11 2-phenyl-benzoic acid 68.3 8.0 1.2 B.12 3,3′-thiodipropionicacid 60.9 8.1 1.3 B.13 naphthalene-1-carboxylic acid 67.6 7.9 1.2 B.145-sulfosalicyclic acid 59.4 7.6 1.3 B.15 2-methoxy-phenylacetic acid65.1 8.2 1.2 B.16 benzene-1,2,4-tricarboxylic acid 61.7 7.5 1.3 B.173-hydroxy-benzoic acid 64.0 7.7 1.3 B.18 D-gluconic acid 56.8 7.9 1.1B.19 4,5-dichloro-phthalic acid 60.0 7.2 1.3 B.20 n-octanoic acid(caprylic acid) 65.9 8.9 1.3 B.212,2′-dihydroxy-1,1′-dinaphthylmethane-3,3′-4,4′- 64.7 7.5 1.2methylene-bis(3-hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid) embonic acid B.224-methoxy-phenylacetic acid (homoanisic acid) 65.3 8.0 1.2 B.23 2-anisicacid (2-methoxy-benzoic acid) 65.0 7.9 1.2 B.24 adamantane-1-carboxylicacid 67.3 8.7 1.2 B.25 pyridine-3,4-dicarboxylic acid 62.8 8.2 2.9 B.263,4-dihydroxy-benzoic acid 62.0 7.5 1.2 B.27 1-hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid66.5 8.1 1.2 (1-naphthol-2-carboxylic acid) B.28 2,2′-oxydiacetic acid(diglycolic acid) 60.3 8.2 1.4 B.29 O-ethyl-glycolic acid 63.6 8.8 1.3B.30 (2-naphthylthio)-acetic acid 67.1 8.2 1.2(S-(2-naphthyl)-thioglycolic acid) B.31 2-naphthoxy-acetic acid 67.6 8.31.1 B.32 p-toluic acid 68.1 8.9 1.3 B.33 cyclohexanepropionic acid 67.49.1 1.3 B.34 3-methoxypropionic acid 64.0 8.7 1.4 B.353,4,5-trihydroxy-benzoic acid (gallic acid) 61.7 8.0 1.3 B.36 pyromucicacid (furan-2-carboxylic acid) 64.1 8.6 1.2 B.37 2-methyl-benzoic acid(o-toluic acid) 67.3 8.4 1.3 B.38 3,6,9-trioxa-undecanedioic acid 60.28.2 1.1 B.39 3-(4-methoxyphenyl)-propionic acid 66.5 8.4 1.2(p-methoxy-hydrocinnamic acid) B.40 O-acetyl-salicyclic acid (aspirin)65.2 8.4 1.3 B.41 3-fluoro-benzoic acid 64.3 8.0 1.3 B.42cyclohexanecarboxylic acid 66.6 9.0 1.4 B.43 5-chloro-2-hydroxy-benzoicacid 63.7 8.1 1.2 (5-chloro-salicyclic acid) B.44 2,5-dimethyl-benzoicacid (p-xylic acid) 67.7 8.7 1.2 B.45 3,4,5-trimethoxy-benzoic acid 65.98.6 1.2 (trimethylgallic acid) B.46 4-phenyl-butyric acid 67.6 8.6 1.2B.47 3-trilfuoromethyl-benzoic acid 64.3 8.0 1.2 B.48o-hydroxy-phenylacetic acid 65.0 8.3 1.2 B.49 isophthalic acid 63.7 7.91.1 B.50 2,4,6-trihydroxy-benzoic acid 63.2 8.2 1.1 B.51trifluoromethanesulfonic acid 66.6 8.9 1.4 B.52 2-methyl-propionic acid(isobutyric acid) 66.0 9.0 1.3 B.53 2-thienylacetic acid(thiophene-2-acetic acid) 65.2 8.4 1.2 B.54 3,4-dimethoxy-benzoic acid(veratric acid) 65.1 8.3 1.3 B.55 2,2-bis(hydroxymethyl)-propionic acid64.9 8.9 1.2 B.56 2-fluoro-phenylacetic acid 66.4 8.4 1.3 B.572-methyl-butyric acid 66.2 9.0 1.4 B.58 hydroxy-acetic acid 61.8 8.6 1.3B.59 4-chloro-phenylacetic acid 65.3 8.3 1.1 B.60 2-mercaptobenzoic acid(thiosalicyclic acid) 63.3 8.1 1.2 B.61 (+/−)-2-hydroxyphenyl-aceticacid 63.1 8.0 1.1 (DL-mandelic acid) B.622,4-dihydroxypyrimidine-6-carboxylic acid 55.4 7.9 3.1 B.63toluene-4-sulfonic acid (p-toluene-sulfonic acid) 61.9 8.3 1.2 B.642-chloro-phenylacetic acid 66.1 8.6 1.1 B.65 2,4-dichloro-benzoic acid61.1 7.6 1.2 B.66 2-mercapto-propionic acid (thiolactic acid) 62.9 8.71.2 B.67 2-chloro-benzoic acid 63.3 7.8 1.1 B.68 methanesulfonic acid59.7 8.6 1.1 B.69 ethanesulfonic acid (ethyl-sulfuric acid) 59.2 8.5 1.3B.70 4-phenoxy-butyric acid 68.1 9.1 1.1 B.71 4-tert-butyl-benzoic acid68.7 9.0 1.2 B.72 bis(2-carboxyethyl) disulfide 59.1 8.0 1.1 B.73pivalic acid (trimethylacetic acid) 65.8 8.9 1.4 B.74 acrylic acid 65.48.8 1.3 B.75 3-benzoylpropionic acid 67.7 8.8 1.1(4-oxo-4-phenyl-butyric acid) B.76 (1R)-(−)-camphor-10-sulfonic acidhydrate 63.4 8.7 1.1 B.77 2-chloro-4-fluoro-benzoic acid 62.3 7.9 1.2B.78 3,5-dimethoxy-benzoic acid 66.1 8.5 1.2 B.79 2-sulfobenzoic acid60.3 7.9 1.2 B.80 sulfoacetic acid 59.6 8.3 1.3 B.812-chloro-6-fluoro-benzoic acid 61.7 7.9 1.3 B.82 2,4-dihydroxy-benzoicacid 62.6 8.2 1.3 B.83 methoxyacetic acid 63.4 8.7 1.3 B.84 tartaricacid 58.4 8.1 1.2 B.85 xanthene-9-carboxylic acid 68.3 8.3 1.1 B.864-pentenoic acid (allylacetic acid) 66.1 8.9 1.4 B.87 vinylacetic acid64.9 8.6 1.3 B.88 2-butynedioic acid (acetyldicarboxylic acid) 61.8 8.31.4 B.89 2-oxo-propionic acid (pyruvic acid) 62.0 8.6 1.2 B.90cyclohexylacetic acid 66.6 9.0 1.3 B.91 2-hydroxyisobutyric acid 62.48.8 1.3 B.92 citric acid 59.5 7.8 1.4 B.93 adipic acid 61.1 8.1 1.2 B.94sulfuric acid 60.7 8.6 1.8 B.95 hydroxychloric acid 59.7 8.4 1.4

TABLE C Elemental analyses of compounds of formula

found content (%) No. X—H C H N C.1 benzoic acid 66.3 8.2 1.5 C.2 maleicacid 61.8 8.1 1.4 C.3 2-hydroxybenzoic acid, salicyclic acid 63.6 7.91.4 C.4 benzenesulfonic acid 61.6 7.9 1.4 C.5 citric acid 62.4 7.8 1.5

Formulation Examples for use in crop protection (%=percent by weight)

Example F1

Emulsifiable concentrates a) b) c) active ingredient 25% 40% 50% calciumdodecylbenzenesulfonate  5%  8%  6% castor oil polyethylene glycol ether(36 mol EO)  5% — — tributylphenol polyethylene glycol ether — 12%  4%(30 mol EO) cyclohexanone — 15% 20% xylene mixture 65% 25% 20%

Mixing finely ground active ingredient and additives gives anemulsifiable concentrate which yields emulsions of the desiredconcentration on dilution with water.

Example F2

Solutions a) b) c) d) active ingredient 80% 10% 5% 95% ethylene glycolmonomethyl ether 20% — — — polyethylene glycol (MW 400) — 70% — —N-methylpyrrolid-2-one — 20% — — epoxidised coconut oil — — 1%  5%benzine (boiling range: 160-190°) — — 94%  —

Mixing finely ground active ingredient and additives gives a solutionsuitable for use in the form of microdrops.

Example F3

Granules a) b) c) d) active ingredient 5% 10%  8% 21% kaolin 94%  — 79%54% highly dispersed silicic acid 1% — 13%  7% attapulgite — 90% — 18%

The active ingredient is dissolved in dichloromethane, the solution issprayed onto the carrier mixture and the solvent is evaporated off invacuo.

Example F4

Wettable powders a) b) c) active ingredient 25%  50% 75% sodiumlignosulfonate 5%  5% — sodium lauryl sulfate 3% —  5% sodiumdiisobutylnaphthalenesulfonate —  6% 10% octylphenol polyethylene glycolether (7-8 mol EO) —  2% — highly dispersed silicic acid 5% 10% 10%kaolin 62%  27% —

Active ingredient and additives are mixed together and the mixture isground in a suitable mill, yielding wettable powders that can be dilutedwith water to form suspensions of the desired concentration.

Example F5

Emulsifiable concentrate active ingredient 10% octylphenol polyethyleneglycol ether (4-5 mol EO) 3% calcium dodecylbenzenesulfonate 3% castoroil polyethylene glycol ether (36 mol EO) 4% cyclohexanone 30% xylenemixture 50%

Mixing finely ground active ingredient and additives gives anemulsifiable concentrate which yields emulsions of the desiredconcentration on dilution with water.

Example F6

Extruder granules active ingredient 10% sodium lignosulfonate 2%carboxymethylcellulose 1% kaolin 87%

Active ingredient and additives are mixed together, the mixture isground, moistened with water, extruded and granulated and the granulesare dried in a stream of air.

Example F7

Coated granules active ingredient 3% polyethylene glycol (MW 200) 3%kaolin 94%

Uniform application of the finely ground active ingredient to the kaolinmoistened with polyethylene glycol in a mixer yields non-dusty coatedgranules.

Example F8

Suspension concentrate active ingredient 40% ethylene glycol 10%nonylphenol polyethylene glycol ether (15 mol EO)  6% sodiumlignosulfonate 10% carboxymethylcellulose  1% aqueous formaldehydesolution (37%) 0.2%  aqueous silicone oil emulsion (75%) 0.8%  water 32%

Mixing finely ground active ingredient and additives gives a suspensionconcentrate which yields suspensions of the desired concentration ondilution with water.

BIOLOGICAL EXAMPLES Example B1 Action against Spodoptera littoralis

Young soybean plants are sprayed with an aqueous emulsion spray mixturecomprising 12.5 ppm of test compound and, after the spray-coating hasdried, the plants are populated with 10 caterpillars of Spodopteralittoralis in the first stage and then placed in a plastics container. 3days later, the percentage reduction in population and the percentagereduction in feeding damage (% activity) are determined by comparing thenumber of dead caterpillars and the feeding damage on the treated plantswith that on untreated plants.

Example B2 Action against Spodoptera littoralis, systemic:

Maize seedlings are placed in the test solution. 6 days later, theleaves are cut off, placed on moist filter paper in a petri dish andinfested with 12 to 15 Spodoptera littoralis larvae in the L₁ stage. 4days later, the percentage reduction in population (% activity) isdetermined by comparing the number of dead caterpillars on treatedplants with that on untreated plants.

Example B3 Action Against Heliothis virescens

30-35 eggs of Heliothis virescens, from 0 to 24 hours old, are placed onfilter paper in a petri dish on a layer of artificial nutrient. 0.8 mlof the test solution is then pipetted onto the filter papers. Evaluationis made 6 days later. The percentage reduction in population (%activity) is determined by comparing the number of dead eggs and larvaeon treated plants with that on untreated plants.

Example B4 Action Against Plutella xylostella Caterpillars

Young cabbage plants are sprayed with an aqueous emulsion spray mixturecomprising 12.5 ppm of test compound. After the spray-coating has dried,the cabbage plants are populated with 10 caterpillars of Plutellaxylostella in the first stage and placed in a plastics container.Evaluation is made 3 days later. The percentage reduction in populationand the percentage reduction in feeding damage (% activity) aredetermined by comparing the number of dead caterpillars and the feedingdamage on the treated plants with that on the untreated plants.

Example B5 Action Against Frankliniella occidentalis

Pieces of bean leaves are placed on agar in petri dishes and sprayedwith test solution in a spray chamber. The leaves are then infested witha mixed population of Frankliniella occidentalis. Evaluation is made 10days later. The percentage reduction (% activity) is determined bycomparing the population on the treated leaves with that on untreatedleaves.

Example B6 Action Against Diabrotica balteata

Maize seedlings are sprayed with an aqueous emulsion spray mixturecomprising 12.5 ppm of the test compound and, after the spray-coatinghas dried, the maize seedlings are populated with 10 Diabrotica balteatalarvae in the second stage and then placed in a plastics container. 6days later, the percentage reduction in population (% activity) isdetermined by comparing the number of dead larvae on the treated plantswith that on untreated plants.

Example B7 Action Against Tetranychus urticae

Young bean plants are populated with a mixed population of Tetranychusurticae and sprayed one day later with an aqueous emulsion spray mixturecomprising 12.5 ppm of test compound. The plants are incubated for 6days at 25° C. and subsequently evaluated. The percentage reduction inpopulation (% activity) is determined by comparing the number of deadeggs, larvae and adults on the treated plants with that on untreatedplants.

The compounds of the Tables exhibit a good action in the above tests B1to B7. For example, especially compounds B.1 to B.4, B.11, B.22, B.29,B.32, B.36, B.41, B.44, B.47, B.51, B.52, B.60, B.70, B.71, B.74, B.82,B.83, B.84, B.86, B.91, B.92 and B.94 bring about a reduction in thepest population mentioned in these tests of more than 80%.

1. A compound of formula

wherein X⁻ is an anion; n is 1, 2, 3 or 4; R₁ is C₁-C₁₂ alkyl,C₃-C₈cycloalkyl; or C₂-C₁₂alkenyl; R₂ is mono- to penta-substitutedC₁-C₁₂alkyl, unsubstituted or mono- to penta-substituted C₂-C₁₂alkenyl;R₃ is mono- to penta-substituted C₁-C₁₂alkyl, unsubstituted or mono- topenta-substituted C₃-C₁₂cycloalkyl, unsubstituted or mono- topenta-substituted C₂-C₁₂alkenyl; unsubstituted or mono- topenta-substituted C₂-C₁₂alkynyl; or R₂ and R₃ together are a three- toseven-membered alkylene bridge, or a four- to seven-membered alkenylenebridge wherein a —CH₂— group may have been replaced by O, S or NR₄;wherein the substituents of the mono- to penta-substituted C₁-C₁₂alkyl,unsubstituted or mono- to penta-substituted C₃-C₁₂cycloalkyl,unsubstituted or mono- to penta-substituted C₂-C₁₂alkenyl, unsubstitutedor mono- to penta-substituted C₂-C₁₂alkynyl are selected from the groupconsisting of OH, halogen, halo-C₁-C₂alkyl, CN, NO₂, C₂-C₆alkynyl,C₃-C₈cycloalkyl, norbomylenyl, C₃-C₈cycloalkenyl, C₃-C₈cycloalkenylunsubstituted or substituted by from one to three methyl groups,C₃-C₈halocycloalkyl, C₁-C₁₂alkoxy, C₁-C₆alkoxy-C₁-C₆alkyl,C₃-C₈cycloalkoxy, C₁-C₁₂haloalkoxy, C₁-C₁₂alkylthio,C₃-C₈cycloalkylthio, C₁-C₁₂haloalkylthio, C₁-C₁₂alkylsulfinyl,C₃-C₈cycloalkylsulfinyl, C₁-C₁₂haloalkylsulfinyl,C₃-C₈halocycloalkylsulfinyl, C₁-C₁₂alkylsulfonyl,C₃-C₈cycloalkylsulfonyl, C₁-C₁₂haloalkylsulfonyl,C₃-C₈halocycloalkylsulfonyl, C₂-C₈alkenyl, C₂-C₈alkynyl, NH(C₁-C₆alkyl),N(C₁-C₆alkyl)₂, —C(═O)R₅, —NHC(═O)R₆, —P(═O)(OC₁-C₆alkyl)₂, aryl,heterocyclyl, aryloxy, heterocyclyloxy; and also aryl, heterocyclyl,aryloxy and heterocyclyloxy that, depending upon the possibilities ofsubstitution at the ring, are mono- to penta-substituted by substituentsselected from the group consisting of OH, halogen, CN, NO₂, C₁-C₁₂alkyl,C₃-C₈cycloalkyl, C₁-C₁₂haloalkyl, C₁-C₁₂alkoxy, C₁-C₁₂haloalkoxy,C₁-C₁₂alkylthio, C₁-C₁₂haloalkylthio, C₁-C₆alkoxy-C₁-C₆alkyl,dimethylamino-C₁-C₆alkoxy, C₂-C₈alkenyl, C₂-C₈alkynyl, phenoxy,phenyl-C₁-C₆alkyl; phenoxy unsubstituted or substituted by from one tothree substituents selected independently of one another from halogen,methoxy, trifluoromethyl and trifluoromethoxy; phenyl-C₁-C₆alkoxyunsubstituted or substituted in the aromatic ring by from one to threesubstituents selected independently of one another from halogen,methoxy, trifluoromethyl and trifluoromethoxy; phenyl-C₂-C₆alkenyl,phenyl-C₂-C₆alkynyl, methylenedioxy, —C(═O)R₅, —O—C(═O)R₆, —NH—C(═O)R₆,NH₂, NH(C₁-C₁₂alkyl), N(C₁-C₁₂alkyl)₂, C₁-C₆alkylsulfinyl,C₃-C₈cycloalkylsulfinyl, C₁-C₆haloalkylsulfinyl,C₃-C₈halocycloalkylsulfinyl, C₁-C₆alkylsulfonyl,C₃-C₈cycloalkylsulfonyl, C₁-C₆haloalkylsulfonyl andC₃-C₈halocycloalkylsulfonyl; R₄ is C₁-C₈alkyl, C₃-C₈cycloalkyl,C₂-C₈alkenyl, C₂-C₈alkynyl, benzyl or —C(═O)—R₅; R₅ is H, OH, SH, NH₂,NH(C₁-C₁₂alkyl), N(C₁-C₁₂alkyl)₂, C₁-C₁₂alkyl, C₁-C₁₂haloalkyl,C₁-C₁₂alkoxy, C₁-C₁₂haloalkoxy, C₁-C₆alkoxy-C₁-C₆alkoxy,C₁-C₁₂alkylthio, C₂-C₈alkenyloxy, C₂-C₈alkynyloxy; phenyl, phenoxy,benzyloxy, —NH-phenyl, —N(C₁-C₆alkyl)-phenyl, NH—C₁-C₆alkyl-C(═O)—R₇,—N(C₁-C₆alkyl)-C₁-C₆alkyl-C(═O)—R₇; or phenyl, phenoxy, benzyloxy,NH-phenyl or —N(C₁-C₆alkyl)-phenyl substituted in the aromatic ring byfrom one to three substituents selected independently of one anotherfrom halogen, C₁-C₆alkoxy, C₁-C₆haloalkyl and C₁-C₆haloalkoxy; R₆ is H,C₁-C₁₂alkyl, C₁-C₁₂haloalkyl, C₂-C₈alkenyl, C₂-C₈alkynyl, phenyl,benzyl, NH₂, NH(C₁-C₁₂alkyl), N(C₁-C₁₂alkyl)₂, —NH-phenyl or—N(C₁-C₁₂alkyl)-phenyl; and R₇ is H, OH, C₁-C₁₂alkyl, C₁-C₁₂alkoxy,C₁-C₆alkoxy-C₁-C₆alkoxy, C₂-C₈alkenyloxy, phenyl, phenoxy, benzyloxy,NH₂, NH(C₁-C₁₂alkyl), N(C₁-C₁₂alkyl)₂, —NH-phenyl or—N(C₁-C₁₂alkyl)-phenyl; and, where applicable, an E/Z isomer, E/Zisomeric mixture and/or tautomer thereof.
 2. A compound according toclaim 1 of formula (I) wherein R₁ is isopropyl or sec-butyl.
 3. Apesticidal composition comprising as active ingredient at least onecompound according to claim 1 of formula (I), in agrochemicallyacceptable salt form, and at least one adjuvant.
 4. A method ofcontrolling pests, which comprises applying a composition according toclaim 3 to the pests or to the locus thereof.
 5. A process for thepreparation of a composition according to claim 3 comprising at leastone adjuvant, which comprises intimately mixing and/or grinding theactive ingredient with the adjuvant(s).
 6. A method according to claim 4for the protection of plant propagation material, which comprisestreating the propagation material or the planting site of thepropagation material.
 7. Plant propagation material treated inaccordance with the method described in claim 6.